Greater Perspective

Sitting here this afternoon pondering over this thing called “2020” and all that it brought with it. My life forever will be changed. I have always been a person that use the phrase “Lord’s willing”; I will do this or do that. It holds a whole new meaning now as I think about the future and whether or not the Lord will allow us to return to all of our normal activities as we once knew. As of now, most of my plans are limited to a weekly basis, if not daily. No longer will I assume or take for granted that I will get to live out my plans, but I bow in total reverence to God in acknowledging him in all of my ways. Thinking about 2019 and the plans I had for 2020 and 2021 are far from what I expected. I’m sure everyone reading this blog can relate to what you thought you would be doing, accomplishing, or enjoying right now compared to where you actually are. Nevertheless, God is still good.

Amid all the things that this year has already brought, yesterday we funeralized a dear church member that I’ve known for thirty-seven years and had the privilege to call him “Uncle Roy”. Last Sunday afternoon the news of his sudden and unexpected demise sent me in to a spiral of emotions. He will be greatly missed. His lively personality always let you know he was in the building. He was known for his smile and his pleasantries. My heart is still filled with sadness in regards to his transition and it has move me into more of an urgency to make the most of my time here. Actually, it has changed my perspective even greater than before. I feel that everything we experience in life comes along with a message if we look close enough. I wrote a blog a few months ago entitled “Things I Took For Granted”. I’ve been striving every since to live on purpose. Part of my living on purpose is paying close attention to my priorities and my choices. I’ve chosen to pray and evaluate weekly as to what and who I give my time to. I know more than ever; time is a gift. Once you lose it, there’s no recapturing. The bible says, life is like a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away.

As we go through life there are all sorts of things and people vying for our time. Whatever or whoever you choose to give your time to, will ultimately guide the course of your life. This is why it’s imperative that we choose wisely. Often, we spend more time thinking and planning for the future, more so than living in the now. When the truth of the matter is, all we have is now. Tomorrow nor the next second is not promise to us. The enemy will have you spend a life time chasing after the “next thing” and always overlooking the “now”. The chase after “next” can be futile and exhausting and never-ending. We should all have goals and make plans, but not at the expense of neglecting where you are in your current state. The bible says, godliness and contentment is great gain. Every place you find yourself has a role in your destiny. This is why it’s so essential to live in the present soberly and not haphazardly.

I have to admit it took me a long walk in the wilderness, some heartache, and some do-overs to figure out how to make the best of my “now”. I can reminisce on so many different times in my life that I was always waiting for the “next season”. Marriage, divorce, marriage again, children, career. You get the gist? Right? You know what it taught me? Is that every time I accomplish or arrived at another phase in my life, I found myself looking toward my next before I knew it. I’m not saying that it is anything wrong with having goals and desires. What I realize, it wasn’t the goals part that took away from today’s joy. It was the spirit of chasing “next” instead of allowing God to show me all he wanted me to learn, grow, and do in my “now” time. In regards to our desires, we have to make sure we are not putting “our wants” above “God’s will”. It took me a while to get it, but I’ve learned now that there’s a purpose for every phase of my life. If I can be honest, I’m still uncomfortable and a little anxious with some areas in my life, but I’m growing in grace. Life has caused me to coin this phrase along my way, “Nothing gets pass God”. Our time here on earth is so precious and so fleeting that we have to learn to make the best of it, no matter where we find ourselves.

I pray that this year has given us all a greater perspective on life as we know it. Life is a vapor, and your “next” is not greater than your “now”. We live in the present, not the future. The word of God tells us to take no thought of tomorrow, because there’s enough evil in today. We should seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and he promise to add the rest. Stop waiting for “next” and choose to make the best of the time and resources you have now. Most importantly, serve God with your whole heart. When we let go of our idea of what we had in mind, and give way to God’s plan, He has a way of making everything else fall into place the way it should. Ask God for direction and how He would have you to live in your “present” now. He has a plan and it’s far better than ours. Remember, the only way to get to next is through “NOW”.

Until next time…..be good to yourselves