“So I commend the enjoyment of life, because there is nothing better for a person under the sun than to eat and drink and be glad. Then joy will accompany them all the days of the life God has given them under the sun. (Ecclesiastes 8:15)
Living in the moment is all about living like there's no tomorrow; right? This moment is here and now for us all to live. And we have the choice to live it fully and richly, as if this is the only time there has ever been and the only time that will ever be. J It certainly requires a special effort on my part to consciously live in the moment because life presents me (as I am sure it does for most of us!) with so many distractions. Many times I am so concerned about planning and adding days to my life, that I forget to add life to my days! That's when I stop and live in the moment, and appreciate and glorify everything that God has blessed me with. Every morning is an exciting new day, and if I stop and quit trying to fit this day into a preconceived mold, and believe that God has designed this day for me, I can relax and enjoy whatever circumstances that He has planned for me. If I am thoughtful of any distractions that eliminate me from praise and worship, then I need to resolve any unfinished business and give closure to the situation.
"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. (Jeremiah 29:11-13)
Sometimes life passes by so quickly that we forget to pay attention to what is going on, and then we wonder where the time went. When we are still and give glory to God for even the smallest pleasures and blessings, we can immerse ourselves in thankfulness and make each moment more meaningful. To make every moment count we must embrace it! J We certainly can’t live life to its fullest if we don’t know how to slow down and enjoy the beauty and love that surrounds us.
"The past is history. The future is a mystery. The only time we really have is now." (Unknown)
Living in the moment can be very easy during special events, when we feel good, or when things are going our way. But if we let worry or fear get in our way and distract us, these issues rob us of our lives. Regardless of the trials and circumstances of our daily lives, if we focus on and stay centered in Christ, we will not stray and we can live a life of peace, and live in just this moment. :)
Hi Denise - I love love love this post. Especially where you say - Many times I am so concerned about planning and adding days to my life, that I forget to add life to my days! Soooo true. I will definitely wake up with a different attitude tomorrow morning - God willing!
ReplyDeleteThank you for joining with me on my bloghop, you so encourage me!
God bless
Tracy
ps: Hope you don't mind but I'll be quoting you on facebook!! :)
Good word for me to start the day! I am off to another "interview" and I think I needed to hear this even before I sit down for my QT! Thank you for always putting out a good word for the day!
ReplyDeleteIn His Grace, Dawn
Denise, this is an awesome post! I love this line: "quit trying to fit this day into a preconceived mold" so much truth in this post. Kathleen wrote about slowing down today at http://thesejoyfulmysteries.blogspot.com/2011/10/slowing-down.html
ReplyDeleteGood reminders for me!!
Thanks...and hugs,
Mary
Hi Denise, I'm discovered your blog via Tracy's Winsome Wednesday. This is the second post today that has reminded me to really value today. I believe God is definitely trying to draw my attention to this. Thanks for sharing. May you continue to shine bright for our Lord!
ReplyDeleteHi Denise,
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful message! I know I needed this reminder today, as sometimes when we get older we begin to notice that each day seems to run into the next, and we end up wondering where the time went? That passage in Jeremiah says it all..God has a plan for each day of our lives and our future is secure in Him..if we seek him with our whole heart. I woke up this morning wondering aloud if this would be the day the Lord calls us up (rapture), and then I asked the Lord what I should do today to make it different than yesterday and He put this thought into my mind: "Just praise me!" So I am praising Him in everything today, even the small stuff, cause that's usually all we have going on anyway. So you can see why your post today was very timely for me! PRAISE GOD!!
~God Bless You My Friend~
Beautiful words, Denise. Life is such a gift...every single second of it. As I read your post I thought of John 10:10...the theif cometh to steal, kill and destroy, but I have come that they might have life, and have it more abundantly." How I want to live each day to the full, partaking of the abundance of life that Christ died to give me.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comments. They always encourage my heart and bring a smile to my face.
~Stacy
This is beautifully said. It is the simple difference between, "Eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow we die," and "Eat, drink and be merry out of gratitude to God for His good gifts, making every moment a sacrament."
ReplyDeleteJNCL
The Beauty of Eclecticism
Funny, I was thinking about this just this morning. I have so many things "pending" in my life right now. I felt that quiet inner voice whispering, "Don't forget to enjoy today". Then I read this post. Don't you just love it?
ReplyDeleteThis is one of my favorite lessons that you taught me when I was a child-I try to live everyday to its fullest, because we never know what is to come. I love how you wrote at we need to add life to our days rather than days to our life! I love you mama, thanks for sharing!
ReplyDelete