I’d like to think that I’ve learned a lot in my 23 years of life. But if there is one thing I’ve learned for sure, it’s that change is inevitable. It is guaranteed that circumstances will change, feelings will change, and seasons in life will change- There’s no way to avoid it. The good news is.. It’s not necessarily a bad thing.
I’ve come to accept change and realize that it will happen, whether I’m ready for it or not. I think many of us like to live in the future (or maybe the past). It’s hard to live in the present, especially in today’s society. The business of today’s world makes it nearly impossible to slow down and smell the roses. I will be the first to admit that I am always looking to the next thing. I like to rush through the work week, with the weekend in mind (as if it’ll get me to the weekend faster). And I am really good at wishing for my next season in life, instead of enjoying the one I am in now. For example, as an (independent) little girl, I always wished I was old enough to wear make up, drive myself to school, and hang out with friends without chaperones. As a high schooler, I could not wait to graduate and move on to post-high school life. And most recently, being born and raised in California, I could not wait to move out of state and experience life somewhere else. It’s so easy for me to wish away the present, while I put most of my focus on the future. And there is absolutely nothing wrong with planning or having dreams for your future. The thing is, this instinctive habit causes us to miss out on our current season, and what fun is that?! God wants us to enjoy our current season and focus on the present. Each season will come, but maybe not in our timing. Here are a few things that came to mind when I thought about writing this post..
1. God wants us to glorify Him in everything we do. Colossians 3:23 says “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.” If I am rushing through my week, just to be present during the two days that we call “the weekend”, am I honoring God in my daily life? Whatever may fill your days (work, school, chores, etc), and regardless if you love it or hate it, we should be giving it our all. If we’re working to glorify our God, how can we give Him anything less than everything we have?
2. Living in the present can help relieve stress, anxiety, and worry. Matthew 6:34 tells us, “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” When we constantly live in the future, we take on all the worry and stress of the future, as well. I can tell you from first-hand experience, that this is not an enjoyable way to live. Focus on today. Focus on what you can do to achieve your goals, today. Focus on the ways you can glorify and honor Him, today. Focus on the season you’re in, today.
3. We are to enjoy His blessings in each season of life. I am the queen of looking to the next season of my life- It’s almost like I need something to look forward to. I’ve been like this for as long as I can remember, but as I’ve gotten older, it’s something I’ve been able to acknowledge and work on. There are physical seasons, but there are also spiritual seasons, including Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer (Havilah Cunnington hosts a great Bible study about these spiritual seasons, called Radical Growth). Every season is so different and so crucial. While some are harder than others, it’s important to recognize the season we are currently in, so that we can nurture it, learn from it, and move onto the next season. Being present allows God to work in us and prepare us for our upcoming seasons.
I think it all comes down to this: Being present allows us to be in His presence. And when we can be in His presence, we can enjoy all His blessings and provisions in our life. So, while life is constantly throwing us curve balls and changing our circumstances, stay focused on your present. Right now is the only time you will be in your current present- whatever that may be. Enjoy the blessings of your current season because you will be moving onto the next season before you know it!
