Wings
of Light
Featured
Writer: Jennifer Stein
Staying
in the Present
I have many flaws,
but one of my biggest is staying in the present. My mind constantly
drifts and wanders. I find myself drifting often into the future.
When will I be able
to have a baby? What if I had a lot of money? What if my husband
loses his job? What if we have no money? When will I ever get
it all done? What if there were more hours in a day? What if
something happens to a loved one? What will happen to (you name it)?
And, as each of these
questions enter my mind, a long series of fairy tales follow. Strange
“stories” emerge. Make believe plans and solved riddles. All
of these plans brewing more questions and thoughts and theories and stories.
What if we do go to
war with Iraq? What if North Korea is a real threat?
What will happen? How will life change? What will my family
do?
STOP!
It’s terrible isn’t
it? All of these questions about the future, it’s enough to drive
anyone mad and it is not what God wants for us.
I recently heard a
pastor discussing C.S. Lewis’ classic novel, The Screwtape Letters.
This book centers on a demon writing letters to another demon giving advice
on how to lure a “patient” (a human) away from “the Enemy” (God/Jesus).
I saw it at a local bookstore and decided to pick it up. In the midst of
my struggle on how to stay in the present, this part of the story hit home…HARD:
He (Jesus)
does not want men to give the Future their hearts, to place their treasure
in it. We (demons) do. His ideal is a man who, having worked
all day for good posterity washes his mind of the whole subject, commits
the issue to Heaven and returns at once to the patience or gratitude demanded
by the moment passing over him. But we want a man hag-ridden by the
Future- haunted by visions of an imminent heaven or hell upon earth- …We
want a whole race perpetually in pursuit of the rainbow’s end, never honest,
nor kind nor happy now…
WOW! Lewis was writing
about me! God opened my eyes to these flawed fantasies I often find
myself drifting into. This fairy tale world I have been living
in. He showed me how getting lost in the future is just what our
true enemy wants. He showed me it is not what He wants.
The Psalms of David
constantly assure us of God’s unfailing love for us and of his protection
for those who fear Him. “For the Lord watches over the path of the
godly…” Psalms 1:6. “Why do people waste their time on futile plans...the
one who rules heaven laughs…?” Psalms 2:1 & 4. “Yes, you
have been with me from birth; from my mother’s womb you have cared for
me.” Psalms 71:6
The book of Proverbs
says, “We can make out plans, but the Lord determines our steps.
The Lord…sets the standard.” Praise God that I can let go of
those future worries and fears knowing He will be beside me. I don’t
have to fear job loss or war because God is in control.
Then there is one of
my favorite series of verses about God’s love for us, Matthew 6:25-34 (focusing
on verses 31-34):
“So don’t worry about
having enough food or drink or clothing…your Heavenly Father knows all
your needs, and He will give you all you need from day to day if you live
for Him and make the Kingdom of God your primary concern. So, don’t
worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries…” (Emphasis
added)
Isn’t it nice to know
that our Heavenly Father knows our needs? Isn’t it reassuring to
know Jesus himself tells us not to worry about tomorrow?
My daily prayer is
to remember to stay in the here and now. To ask for God’s help when
I find myself starting to wonder about the future and what lies ahead.
To praise God for the wonderful works He is doing all around me.
To enjoy what today has to offer and to stay focused on Him and His Kingdom
today. This is what He asks of us. I pray the same for you.
Jennifer
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