Future Focused Freaks

Amanda and Jon just had a perfect date. He bought her favorite flowers and made the cutest picnic. It’s been a blissful three months of dating. He really likes her. She likes him back, but she can’t fully enjoy dating him because she is trying to figure out how to get him to propose.

The diamond ring sparkled like no other piece of jewelry Meagan had ever owned. As soon as Marc proposed it became the center of her world. Well, the sparkly ring and her wedding planning binder. This is her big day, everything has to be perfect! It was only mildly concerning that she hadn’t seen her fiance in a week.

Newlyweds Brooke and Derek had just moved in their first house. They were still trying to find places to put all of their wedding gifts. He wanted to snuggle on the couch after dinner, but Brooke was determined to set up the nursery. She couldn’t wait to be a mom and her enthusiasm flowed directly into the nursery, while her husband waited alone in the other room.

What’s Next?!

There are so many “benchmarks” in life; places you are supposed to get to in your relationship, achievements to be made in your career, or yet another Bible study to be done. The things we can do, should do and probably will do are endless. There is always something else to work toward. We sacrifice today to get to tomorrow. In hurrying through life, we miss the moments, the miracles, the beauty, and the people that God has given us today.

I admit… this is my weakness. I find a sick pleasure in list making. The very idea of coordinating multiple calendars each day and scheduling life months in advance makes me happy. I am always working toward a new project or goal. And that is how I like it. And far too often, am guilty of wasting the good of today for the worries of tomorrow. But lately, the Lord has been teaching me the value of living in today.

Yes, we are absolutely supposed to act like adults, plan things, prepare for the future, and be responsible. But not at the expense of what God has give us today. After all, we are not promised tomorrow.

1. Today Is The Only Time We Can Glorify Our Lord.

As much as we may desire for our future plans to bring God glory, the only thing we actually have control over is glorifying Him today. It’s our attitudes today that matter. It’s resisting temptation right now. It’s how our actions reflect God in this moment. It’s what you choose to do or not do with your boyfriend tonight. The only thing we have to offer to God in worship… is today.

“Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.” 1 Peter 2:12

“You were bought with a price, so glorify God in your body.” 1 Corinthians 6:20

2. Today Is The Only Time We Can Invest In People.

God sent His Son to the world to save people. Not cars, or awards, or job titles, or the next step in a relationship. Jesus died for people. He died for us. And as His children, we are to follow in His steps and make our lives about people, where they spend eternity and where they are with Jesus. As great as it is to plan to encourage a friend on Sunday or talk about Jesus with a sibling at the next family gathering, the only day we are promised is today. Today is the only day you know for sure that you will have to invest in your marriage, encourage a hurting co-worker or talk about eternity with your barista. Love the people around you today, because our sanctified life in Christ is about people.

“In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” 1 John 4:10-11

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.” John 13:34

3. Today Is The Only Time We Can Be Excellent.
We are a society of people with the best of intentions to change tomorrow…. while we have one more easy day of not changing today. We excuse laziness or half-hearted work with “I’ll do better tomorrow,” and yet little ever changes. As children of the Creator of the Universe, why aren’t we waking up each day saying, “I’m going to do it better today?”

The world may not recognize God, but it does recognize excellence in every field. Being excellent to the glory of God, rather than for the recognition of others, is one of the most powerful witnesses a believer can have. Do today with excellence.

“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.” Colossians 3:23-24

4. Today Is The Only Day I Can Worship God.
Worshipping God is learning who God is and praising Him for it. To know God we must spend time with Him. In His word and in prayer, both with His people and alone. It’s not about how many Bible studies you do or church activities you attend, what matters is knowing God.

Each day is a gift from God, one you can give back to Him or one you can squander for your own selfish purposes. Today is a day you can give God in worship, it’s a day that you will never get back. Don’t you want to give God as many days of your life as possible?

“Come, behold the works of the LORD.” Psalm 46:8

“Be still, and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:9

Living Today

As hard as it is for my list-making, scheduling-addict self to admit, it is important to take a break from future-focus freak status and just be where God has you.

Do your best with what God has given you today. Learn the lessons in front of you. Be a part of your life where it actually is. Enjoy dating or engagement. Invest in your new marriage. Treasure your days as a new mom. Appreciate your time of singleness.

Be present today.