Living in the Moment

As you can see from looking at the last time I posted to this blog, it has been a busy few months for me. Between my work as a hospital chaplain, parenting a very active 6 year old daughter, making time for my marriage, and being involved at church I have not found as much time for many other things.

But then again, that is a large part of what life is about, isn't it? Choosing how to spend our time, energy and resources. When we choose to do something, we are saying to ourselves and the world that that is the most important thing for us to be doing at that moment.

It can be tempting to just coast through life and become a sort of passive voyeur to our own lives, but where does that leave us? When I have found myself in a place like that, somehow, God reminds me that this moment is precious and filled with great promise and opportunity.

As the saying goes, "yesterday is gone, and tomorrow isn't here yet." So in reality, all we truly have is today.

Existential Christian theologian Paul Tillich described this as "the eternal now."

That certainly does not mean not to think about the future- quite to the contrary. It has reminded me to take better care of my body and spiritual-emotional health, as well as cherish the time I have with my daughter, wife, family and friends.

What spiritual opportunity is God beckoning you toward today? Pursue it with all your passion, energy and gifts...

Jesus was asked about what is the greatest commandment, and he replied

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength, and your neighbor as yourself."

That seems a lot easier said than done many times, but God leads us there one moment, one day, one decision, one step at a time.

As the Chinese proverb reminds us: The journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step.

Do you have the courage to take that first or next step in the right direction spiritually??

If you do, take it with joy and zeal, if you are unsure, pray for discernment, quiet your mind and Spirit, and await God's guidance- He will lead you and NEVER let you down as you follow and trust more and more fully in Him!

Blessings and peace of the Saviour to you,

John