Live in the Present

It’s all too easy for us to think about our past.  We see pictures from friends, reminisce at family reunions, and tell our co-workers about what we used to do.  Sometimes, we just think about we want our future to be.  I am a dreamer, and I love to think about the future and what I want it to be.  I find myself thinking about my next step (that is still 10 steps away!), or what I want for my kids 5 years down the road.  As a matter of fact, I just recently found myself thinking about past friends in Colorado and new changes for the future, but then God began to speak to me.

Now don’t misunderstand – it’s not wrong to remember our past, or put together our future goals and bucket lists.  I wonder though, do we think about these things at the expense of the present?  As I pondered this thought, the Lord started to bring a few things to my mind:

Longing to live in the past. 

All too often we step outside and smell something that reminds us of where we used to live, or we go on vacation and remember how nice it was to be closer to family, or see old friends and wish it could be “just as it used to be”.  It’s not abnormal for us to have these thoughts, nor is it wrong.  However, sometimes, I think we let these thoughts hang around so long that we begin to desire the past, instead of being grateful for where God has put us in the present.  So much so, that at times we fail to see the incredible things happening right in front of us.  Our kids making new friends and building life-long relationships, or the blessings of God in our home, or the fact that someone was moved toward God because we allowed Him to use us.  When we fail to see what’s happening right now in our lives because we are looking behind us, then we end up sacrificing our present for the past.

Desiring to skip forward to our future. 

This is something I struggle with a lot.  I have such BIG visions and lofty plans and I just want God to put them all in order right now!   Sometimes it might be in regards to a job situation, or maybe we want a new house, or we want the kids to hurry up and grow up so we don’t have change their diapers, spoon feed them, or get up with them in the middle of the night.  It's not uncommon to have these thoughts.  We want to pay the house off, get rid of the car loan, or just get away!  There’s no problem with those things – it’s natural.  You should want to get rid of your debt, and if your job situation isn't healthy for you or your family, then you should want to move.  We just can’t let these things worry us and neglect to take care of the here and now.  When we do let these thoughts dominate our thinking, we usually find that our attitude goes south.  When the attitude goes south, then usually our relationships, work, and family life go the same direction.

So how do we fix this!?!?

Be grateful for where you are. 

The Bible says in 1 Thessalonians 5:18, “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”  Your current circumstances may not be what you want them to be, or what you think they should be, but it is what it is.  God has known all along that you would be where you are today – He is not surprised!  Instead of asking the Lord to move you, or give you a new job, or resolve your financial woes – try thanking Him for his goodness and grace to you.  The will of God is to praise Him in everything we do, and everywhere you are.  If you find that difficult to do, then instead of asking God to change your circumstances, ask Him to change you and to help you realize His awesomeness around you.

Understand that God holds the future.

In Jeremiah 29:11 we find these awesome words of hope, “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.”  This great verse constantly reminds me that God has a plan for my future!  As long as I honor Him in all that I say and do, and obey Him when He speaks to me, then I will have a life of peace.  I may go through trials and tribulations, but because my hope is in Him, I am assured that His peace will be with me (Phil. 4:7).

It’s OK to think about our past, and sometimes it’s necessary to look at our future.  We just can’t let those thoughts dominate our mind and rob us of the present.

God has a great plan for us right now, and we don’t want to miss it!

Coach CJ

Executive Director – C.H.S.M.

www.chsmhouston.com

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What is on your Boarding Pass?

On my last business trip I flew on a different airline to my destination.  My co-worker and I purchased standard tickets, but upon arrival to the airport we were upgraded to first class – without paying for it!  I have only flown first-class 1 or 2 times and am somewhat unfamiliar with all the added benefits that come with first-class flying.  I was also unaware with the terminology this particular airline used to identify people with priority boarding.  I assumed that my ticket was standard and stood in the standard security line where I waited for 20 minutes to go through security.  I ended up going to the wrong security point and went through the wrong security line.  I completely bypassed the priority boarding line where no one was standing all because I wouldn’t pay attention!

This is how most people view salvation.  They believe that they haven’t done enough good, or that they have done too much bad to deserve Heaven.  However, that is simply not the case.  2 Peter 3:9 tells us “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is long-suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”  In John 3:16 we are told “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”  Some people assume that Heaven is there destination, but they haven’t checked their boarding pass to ensure they are headed in the right direction.  And some people assume that they it simply cannot be that easy.  They end up going to the wrong side of the terminal and stand in the wrong line. 

Friend, life guarantees us one thing only – that we will all die.  However, our death does not need to be permanent.  God is offering “priority boarding passes” to those who have faith in His redemptive work on the cross and His saving grace.  He has a security line that few take, and guarantees you an eternal comfort in His presence.

What does your boarding pass say?

Coach CJ

Director – CHSM

www.chsmhouston.com

Follow CHSM on Twitter (@chsmhouston)

Follow Coach CJ on Twitter (@CJPomeroy1)

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