You made it.  You survived the onslaught of 2008 AD.  The things you held dearest at the onset of the year are likely nothing more than a faded memory today.  I think you should stop and count yourself as blessed for making it this far in your life.  Have you forgotten that God promises us this moment… and no more.

There’s something exciting about living in the NOW!  You can make all the plans you want, resolutions you won’t keep, and promises you will break… and it won’t matter if this is your last moment.  Certainly we must make plans… but staring ahead and working for tomorrow will do nothing for you if you never make it.

God’s provision is so immense for you that it cannot be digested but one day at a time.  Just as a father knows what is best for his son, God is giving you a glimpse into absolute contentment… one day at a time.  But you don’t trust Him do you?  You live for tomorrow… forgetting about the NOW! Or is it just me?

If we all trusted God for our provisions and if we all lived in this day to the fullest of our ability, talent, and capacity… we would understand how big God is… and how small we are.  As you sit in the loosely framed days between Christmas and New Year’s Day, my prayer is that you stop making your resolutions… at least for now…. and start reflecting.

Take a few days and just reflect back.  How was your faith last year?  Would you kiss your mama with that mouth?  Did you lean on God every day?  Did you live your faith in a way that inspired someone to stand up and ask you how they can know God?  Where did you spend your time… are you proud of that?  Did your family get all of you… or just a piece of you?  Did you share your story of faith with at least 1 person?

Naturally, we can all agree that hindsight is 20/20.  After all… when you read God’s word, you are getting a glimpse into how to do life right.

This year… I am going to take a different approach at planning my list of resolutions.  Forget losing weight, getting into shape, or any other lame pursuit.  I simply want to live in the moment… and be a living part of NOW!  Every breath we breathe is a gift from God… I don’t want to waste it.  Do you?  And hopefully… next year at this time… I can reflect back and know that God led me where I needed to be… not where I thought I wanted to go.

Can we do this?  Can you possibly live in the NOW!?  Do we actually believe what Jesus teaches us in Matthew 6?

“So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

- Jesus Christ (As recorded in Matthew 6:31-33)

If we call ourselves men of faith… then we have to live like it – NOW!  We must crawl before we walk, and walk before we run.  It starts with a simple reflection.  Take a look into the mirror and see the man.  Look at who you are and who you were this past year.  Do you like what you see?  What does your reflection look like?  Whose fingerprints are all over you?  Yours or Gods?  If you are like me… I see my fingerprints when things are spiraling out of control off of a wonderful high… , and I see God’s handprints when I am down in the dirt and climbing back toward light and life.  Praise Him for picking me up … over… and over… and over… again.

Take some time… look back.  But don’t dwell.  Ask for forgiveness where you are short.  Give forgiveness to those who have ran you down.  Move on.

Let’s tackle 2009 with a noise and a commitment to living in the NOW!

Peace,
Greg
Acts 4:31
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