ALL IN – LIVING IN THE PRESENT
"Give us today the food we need,"
Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
One of the things that has been the hardest for me to learn to master is living in the present versus living in the past or thinking about the future. When Jesus is teaching the disciples to pray, He is teaching them in verse 11 to be present for the day. To be fully awake in this moment. We can suppress our hearts because of some past mistakes or be so future-minded that we never take a moment to breathe in what God has for us this day. God's mercies are new for this day, meaning you can't take extras for tomorrow. You will need new mercies and daily bread each day to live out what God has in store for you.
Two things have helped me live in the present moment, to focus on daily bread and not the future so much. First, it's gratitude. Anxiety is tethered to the future, but gratitude helps you anchor in the present. Gratitude helps you focus right now, at this moment, on your daily bread and your daily mercies. What has God done for you in this moment? What blessings do you have today? When you see God is faithful today, it will allow you to trust for tomorrow. I invite you to find a rhythm for gratitude. It could be when you wake up or when you go to sleep. Just rattle off the little blessings God gave you today. The food you got to eat, the sleep you had, the good meeting you were in, the Spirit that is faithful to walk with you. The more you practice gratitude the more you will feel the Spirit connecting you to this present moment.
The other is simply to refuse to wish away this season. I have told our church this, but the Bible speaks about time as a commodity. You give time, you spend time, and you receive time. The Lord challenged me one day years ago on how I wish so much time away in difficult or busy seasons. I can't wait until the weekend, I can't wait until that trip next month, I can't wait until next year. The list goes on and on, but one thing is true: we are always trying to speed up what we can't get more of—time. So just try to be as present as you can, and ask God to help you take whatever lesson or good thing He is depositing in you this season. With God, you can trust that nothing goes to waste. No anxiety or stress in this season? Try to live in this moment and watch how your joy and peace will start to slowly increase.
APPLICATION: Gratitude tethers us to the moment we are in.
PRAYER: Ask the Spirit to help you live in tune with this day. Spend time thanking God for this season, no matter how difficult or good it has been. Spend a few moments thanking God for all of His blessings. Trust that He is good.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?