If you’re like me, you’re always saying things like: tomorrow I’ll…, next week I’ll…, next vacation we’ll…, when I retire I’ll… etcetera, ad nauseum.

From a right now perspective, these saying simply mean later. They are words of postponement. Ways to procrastinate or put off or delay something. Methods of planning which may or – more likely – may not come to fruition.

We have thousands of ideas for what we will do in the future. Fewer for what we should do in the moment. Granted, now is a shorter amount of time than later. Possibly. Maybe. Or, is it?

This point was driven home last month when a tragedy struck my small hometown. A young girl perished in a house fire. Her future was eliminated in a terrifying moment. Shock and grief follow any such loss. We wonder how someone so young could simply be gone, but none of us is exempt from death. While difficult to ponder, it is a reality that probably should alter our tendency to say, “later.”

What if we lived in the now more often? What if we look at our nows while we’re in them rather than constantly peering at our futures, hands shading our eyes as we look to the horizon, from our nows? Think I’m crazy? Well, maybe a little. My students often accuse me of such, but let’s look at it from a different perspective.

First, I am not opposed to planning. I’m a planner in many ways. Lists, for instance. I love them. I make them for shopping, for daily workloads, for to-dos, for characters in stories and many other things as well. I also use calendars and story planners. Great things! Very useful tools. I plan itineraries for vacations, lessons, meetings, etc. All good things. I believe we are called to plan and know what is required of us.

However, I think we often forget that planning isn’t a substitute for living in the now. In fact, planning should allow us to be present each moment of the vacation, lesson, meeting, or whatever else we’ve set aside time to do. Being present at the things we’ve planned for makes the planning valuable.

And, all that future time we plan to have, isn’t guaranteed. The only thing we’re guaranteed, is the now. That single moment in which we actually exist. How many times have we scrolled on our phones while in the presence of friends or family? Watched the T.V. instead of conversing with our spouse. Gotten sucked into email or social media instead of finishing that project or calling that person who’s been on your mind?

So don’t waste the now. Be certain you’ve taken care of the really important things. Choices like loving our families, reconciling with those we’ve fallen away from, choosing and drawing close to Jesus, following our call to use our gifts and talents for the good of the Kingdom and to show love to others cannot be ignored. These things cannot wait!

As we move into the Christmas season which traditionally releases feelings of love and joy into the world like no other time of the year, consider right now what steps or choices you can make that will impact your next moment as if you won’t have one after that. I’m not trying to be morbid or discouraging. In fact, I pray we all have many moments in which we can impact more lives, however, none of those are as important as this one. Don’t let it go to waste!

God chose the right moment in time for Jesus to come to earth. He didn’t dally a second longer than necessary. As we attempt to follow His example, let’s take His timing to heart. He sees our moments and knows the number of our days. He moves with purpose.

Let us stay in tune with His timing through prayer and seeking His face daily through the scripture. Take time to listen to others and interact while you’re in their presence. Perhaps they are God’s mouthpiece for the next moment’s decision or direction. Be alert for choices that shouldn’t be put off.

Pay attention to the now.

I’m praying for all of my readers this Christmas season. However you celebrate, or if you don’t, know I’m wishing blessings on each of your lives. Thank you for reading and supporting my work. You’re the best!

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