Our sermon on Sunday was about being happy. I’ll be honest, I’m always a little weary when I hear of a sermon series or books written on Christian happiness, because all too often we tend to view happiness as the ultimate goal in life, and I personally don’t believe that’s what the Bible teaches. I believe that the Bible teaches that life here on earth is more about holiness than happiness, but that is a post for another time. My point is, thankfully our pastor preached a message that I found refreshing and eye-opening in regards to Christian happiness, which I would also consider to be a parallel message of contentment and worry.
I think the thing that I related to the most about the message was in regards to living for the moment, or living in the now. Not twenty minutes from now, or next week, but this very moment. He made a point to mention that planning is wise, and that the Bible does speak on planning for the future, but I live my life for the future. I am constantly thinking “When I reach my fitness goal… then I will be happy”, or “When I start spending time with each one of my four children individually, then I will be the mom I want to be”. What I realized is that I am wasting the only time I am guaranteed… this moment. I could die five minutes from now, and if I am sitting around worrying about when I will do these things, and not being happy in the moment, I am missing THIS MOMENT. The only one I know for sure I have.
So what I brought away from this message was that I need to do a better job of living in the moment, because my moments are usually spent worrying about tomorrow, or planning for next week, planning to be happy someday, when everything lines up the way I want it to. But if the past is any indicator of the future, that is NEVER going to happen. There will always be something else to steal my attention away. I will continue to waste these moments, until I start to fully live in them, with contentment and happiness, no matter what these moments consist of. This moment is where He has me, and it’s time to embrace these moments, and use them to the fullest.
So that is what I am trying to do. I am trying to make it a point to look at the moment right in front of me, and say “Lord, this is your moment, what will you have me do with it?”. How can I serve, honor, and glorify you in this very moment. The funny thing is, when we start to glorify Him in the moment, it leads to the future, which we’ve prepared for in the moments past. Maybe, just maybe if we live out His purpose for our lives, right now, the things we are aiming for in the future will actually come to fruition, because we are planting the seeds today, instead of daydreaming about planting the seeds tomorrow!
So I ask you… Do you live for today, or are you in the habit of living for tomorrow?
So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:34
I’ll leave you with one of my favorite songs, Live For Today by Natalie Grant. Enjoy and have a blessed moment 😉
Sittin’ in my room staring at the wall
Wonderin’ about the meaning of it all
Why is it this thing called life
Has got me goin’ crazy
So I open up your word and let it speak to me
The purpose and the plan that you’ve designed
Is clear to see, and I believe
[Chorus:]
I’m gonna live for today
I’m gonna follow in your way
I’m gonna let my little light shine
Like there’s no tomorrow
I won’t worry about the past
I know my future is intact
So I’ll choose to live my life one way
I’m gonna live it for today
You told me not to worry
About what lies ahead
So I am gonna focus on today instead
Making every moment count and counting
Every single blessing
I’m gonna set my mind on the
Here and the Now
This is what I want my life to be about
And this is How…