Living in the Moment

It was a big weekend for my son and his wife. Their old cars died, both hand-me-downs from their parents, and now with a great new job as a fresh eyed young lawyer, they got new (used) cars. It is strange to fathom this, as a parent with very recent memories of holding that young man as a baby in my arms while he squawked and squirmed with colic. When did he grow up, and how could he possibly be old enough to drive that flashy convertible? He took me for a spin in the new car. I gripped the (very comfy) seat as he changed lanes with an impressive surge into 5th gear and roar of the engine.
"Heehee!" he exulted.
My son has worked his tail off for the past 7 years of college and law-school. It was nice to see him so happy.
When they bought the car, the salesmen told them, "You may not always have money. It is nice to enjoy it when you can."

Now the salesman certainly wanted a sale, but his advice is not all that unsound. I am a strong believer in savings accounts and wise use of money. However, I also tend to let fear guide my future. I am always in need of remembering that we may not have tomorrow so we really should enjoy today. It is a fine line between wanton disregard of the future while reveling in the blessing of the moment, but it is a line we should work to balance. Now and then, it is probably good to tiptoe to the other side of the line, if we are normally not inclined to do so.

Interestingly, this was sort of the point of our sermon Sunday. It was about stepping forward in faith, remembering we are NOT in control. God does not advise recklessness, but over and over He reminds us to enjoy what we have been given, live life fully in the moment we have been given, and trust Him for the future. If we live in His will and trust and abide in His guidance, tomorrow will come exactly as it is supposed to.

It almost makes me want to run out and buy a flashy convertible.

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Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” (James 4:13-15 NIV)

“I have heard the grumbling of the Israelites. Tell them, ‘At twilight you will eat meat, and in the morning you will be filled with bread. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God.’ ” When the Israelites saw it, they said to each other, “What is it?” For they did not know what it was. Moses said to them, “It is the bread the Lord has given you to eat. This is what the Lord has commanded: ‘Everyone is to gather as much as they need. Take an omer for each person you have in your tent.’ ” The Israelites did as they were told; some gathered much, some little. And when they measured it by the omer, the one who gathered much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little. Everyone had gathered just as much as they needed. Then Moses said to them, “No one is to keep any of it until morning.” (Exodus 16:12, 15-19 NIV)

Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. (Psalm 73:25, 26 NIV)


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