Sunday Drive - Live In The Present

I stopped while on my walk this evening to take this photo. I don't normally stop and take photos, because I'm trying to keep a quick pace, but I wanted to take in this moment. To live in the present. We call those Jesus clouds. One day, those rays of sunshine pouring down will be our Lord and Savior returning for His children. 

Living in the present isn't always the easiest thing to do. We tend to spend large amounts of time and energy worrying about and/or trying to plan out our future. ( At least, I know I do! My lists are evidence of that!) Then practically at the same time, we look at our past and go through countless scenarios of what we could've done different in our lives.

I don't want to neglect the present. The present is where I am, right this moment. Am I making the most of it? Am I listening to my Heavenly Father and living in His Presence? Do I sense His nearness?

Psalms 73:28 (NLT)
But as for me, how good it is to be near God! I have made the Sovereign Lord my shelter, and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things you do.

The Lord is very aware of every circumstance you are in at this moment. I like to think that every problem or good thing I go through has already gone through the throne room of heaven. I believe The Lord either approves or rejects what I must go through.

Because of that, I have confidence. If I cling to Him, I will make it through. A sweet friend of mine at church said a few weeks ago, "God parted the red sea, He didn't remove it." God will make a way when there doesn't seem to be one.

Our job is to hold His hand, walk along side Him and trust Him to take care of us, in the present moment.

Now, let's look at the past. How many times has The Lord brought you through something? How many times has He shown Himself to be faithful? In my life, He has been faithful countless times over and over and over again.

That's why I can choose to live in the present. God and I have a history, He's always been there. 

Isaiah 41:10 (NLT)
Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.

He holds our hand with an eternal grip. He will never let go. This gives me confidence, that I have no need to fear the future. He has been with me in the past. He is with me right now and He will take care of my future.

Nothing can separate us. This is one of my favorite verses.

Romans 8:38-39 (NLT)
38 And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow, not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. 39 No power in the sky above or in the earth below indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

This actually gives me even more freedom to live in the present! 

Lord, help me to remember to live in the present. Remind me and all of us to stop and enjoy the moment. Remind us that we don't have to worry about the future. You have our future in Your hand.

Live in the present!

Blessings,
Lori