As Christians we face many strange paradoxes. Among them is this:
As Christians we are to keep a constant eye toward the promises of God’s future grace. We are to be mindful of heaven, of life after death, and of life after life after death in the resurrection. We are to be ‘not yet’ minded as we look forward to the return and reign of Christ on this earth. Yet, at the same time, we are to be present minded. We are to immerse ourselves in the given moment, loving our neighbors now, living in Christ now. communing with God now, fulfilling God’s calling now. The Scriptures are filled with present tenses. We are called to glorify God now, to rejoice in the Lord now, to be saved now, to redeem the present time.
- 2 Corinthians 6:2 For he says, “In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.
- Ephesians 5:15 ¶ Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
Too often we are consumed with the past or the future. Too often we cannot make the most of the workday because we are consumed with thoughts about getting off of work. Too often we cannot enjoy what we have because we are consumed with goals and aspirations. Blaise Pascal speaks helpfully to those of us in that position:
We do not rest satisfied with the present. We anticipate the future as too slow in coming, as if in order to hasten its course; or we recall the past, to stop its too rapid flight. So imprudent are we that we wander in the times which are not ours, and do not think of the only one which belongs to us; and so idle are we that we dream of those times which are no more, and thoughtlessly overlook that which alone exists. For the present is generally painful to us. We conceal it from our sight, because it troubles us; and if it be delightful to us, we regret to see it pass away. We try to sustain it by the future, and think of arranging matters which are not in our power, for a time which we have no certainty of reaching.
Let each one examine his thoughts, and he will find them all occupied with the past and the future. We scarcely ever think of the present; and if we think of it, it is only to take light from it to arrange the future. The present is never our end. The past and the present are our means; the future alone is our end. So we never live, but we hope to live; and, as we are always preparing to be happy, it is inevitable we should never be so.
(Pensees, #172).
I remember in the movie Wayne’s World Garth scolding Wayne for obsessing over a guitar he can’t afford. He yells at him, ‘Live in the now!’ That’s not bad advice in a number of respects. Remember that we serve the God who is ‘I AM.’ Pour yourself into the now. Embrace each God-given moment as an opportunity to love him and love your neighbor, whatever the moment may bring your way, wherever you find yourself.
I often have to preach to myself. At the beginning of a work day I will be thinking about all of the things I need to do outside of work. I will remind myself to redeem the time, to live in the now, to pour myself into the work set before me at the moment. If the future or the past prevents me from doing my best now, I will not be doing my best work, and I will not glorify God, in the moment, as I ought.
