Unwrap the present
Anyone else have a hard time living in the present? Is it just me? Good grief, the past keeps trying to creep into today and future concerns try to keep me wrapped up in the worries of tomorrow. The past and future squeezes me out of today which keeps me from living in the day. Ugh.
I really want to be fully present in the present. I’ve tried various ways, tried to give it my all, focus my mind, get rid of distractions, but the only thing that works, the only way I’ve found success is by seeking God’s presence. Thankfully, it’s not an art that needs to be mastered on our own, God’s presence is fully present. If I seek God, calm my soul in Him, then I am wrapped in His presence in the present.
We can’t physically live in the past or the future, our bodies are here in the now, today, and we have a choice where we focus and how we live. God heals the past – our mistakes, our sins, the sins others have committed against us. God knows the future, is already in the future, and will help us through whatever comes in the future. As we embrace the light of His presence, all things are lit by His presence.
Today is a gift, it is the present. Unwrap today — the present — by being in the presence of God.
“My heart has heard you say, ‘Come and talk with me.’ And my heart responds, ‘Lord, I am coming.’” ~ Psalm 27:8 (NLT)
His Present
God is the great I AM. He is and was and is to come. He is eternally present. Seek God and you will find Him. Rest in God (even in your restless moments) and you will find His rest. His joy, His presence, all are gifts for you.
God blesses with the beauty of His creation as an example of His loving care. Read what Jesus shares in the following passage. How can these truths help you fully embrace today?
Jesus said, “If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don’t you think he’ll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I’m trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied …. People who don’t know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God initiative, God-provisions. … You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes. ~ Matthew 6:32-34 (MSG)
What does the Psalmist share about God’s presence? “You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” ~ Psalm 16:11 (NKJV)
God’s word promises, the closer we draw to God, the more we seek His presence, the more we find a deep, intimate, vibrant, free-flowing, loving relationship and friendship. The present is now and God is here, the Great I AM is here now, waiting for you.
“Sing praises to God and to his name! Sing loud praises to him who rides the clouds. His name is the LORD— rejoice in his presence!” ~ Psalm 68:4 (NLT)
Unwrap the present from Present in His Presence by Lisa Buffaloe
