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PROGRAM D-8470
I’ve been exploring the difference in living in the moment and living for the moment. Living for the moment is living with a short-term perspective; living in the moment is learning to live in today so as not to allow yesterday or tomorrow to rob us of today’s joys. So often we are living in yesterday or tomorrow. That is exactly what Jesus taught us not to do.
Yesterday is gone. You can never fix your mistakes or change your history. Tomorrow is not here. Living in fear of tomorrow is inviting ulcers, high blood pressure, heart attacks, discouragement, and despair.
How much of your life is lived in yesterday or tomorrow?
I AM
by Helen Mallicent
I was regretting the past and fearing the future.
Suddenly my Lord was speaking.
My name is I AM. He paused, I waited. He continued.
When you live in the past with its mistakes and regrets it is hard.
I AM not there. My name is not I was.
When you live in the future with its problems and fears, it is hard.
I AM not there. My name is not I will be.
When you live in this moment it is not hard.
I AM here. My name is—I AM.
Here’s a good description of living in the moment, found in Philippians 4:6-7:
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
When we learn to live like this, we will live in the moment—taking full advantage of the opportunities that come our way, using our gifts and developing them even further, reaching out to others and being used by God in their lives. This is true living where every moment of every day is lived to its fullest, without worry or fear of the past or the future. I pray for you as I do for myself that we will learn to live in the moment and not for the moment.