Today
I've always been a planner, a strategist. I like to "see the future" and get to work on finding the best way(s) to get there. This is true with so many aspects of my life and sometimes it's a good thing, while maybe more times it's not.
I'm preaching at Genesis this morning on Mt 6:25-34. This is the part in the sermon on the mount where Jesus is teaching us about focusing on today rather than worrying needlessly about the things of "tomorrow". These are simple, yet powerful words. I've even thought about just reading them and being done. What can I bring to the teachings of Jesus?
To make matters worse, I will be preaching about something with which I have an incredible difficult time. Man how Jesus is right (obvious huh?) about not worrying about tomorrow because of today having its own share of problems. But I find myself, over and over, fixing my gaze on all of the tomorrow's in my life. They are escapes. They bring me hope.
The problem with this, though, is that tomorrow is never mine. I don't own tomorrow to plan out and to place my hope in. I am not fed by the Holy Spirit in any tomorrow (our manna is given to us daily...not in lump sums). We are given today, this moment.
As cliche as it has become, the writers of Dead Poet's Society hit the jackpot with the phrase "Carpe Diem"...seize the day. That is precisely what Jesus calls us to do...seize the day. Focus on what is here, happening right now. Focus on the blessings that God has given us and is giving us now. Focus on what we can do to make The Kingdom come on earth now.
It's interesting how with all of this adoption stuff going on we have such a hard time living in and just enjoying "now". We have become worried with the possibilities that lurk in the future, specifically of the chance (however slight) that the kids could be taken away. And these worries, quite against Jesus' teaching, only serve to cripple us "today". They steal our joy and zap our strength. They blind us from seeing what God is doing...from seeing His many touches on our lives. They even steal precious moments from us with the kids...more worried about the future than about ensuring that we have awesome, quality time with them today!
Never before, that I can remember, have I preached about something so close to home. Really it will likely turn out to be much like this blog post than a polished, manicured message...which is not a bad thing at all. This is a tough topic and my guess is that many people go through life grappling with the same issue...always waiting for tomorrow...for the next thing. I...we...have to figure out how to deal with this so that we can experience the kind of life Jesus wants for us...today.
I'm preaching at Genesis this morning on Mt 6:25-34. This is the part in the sermon on the mount where Jesus is teaching us about focusing on today rather than worrying needlessly about the things of "tomorrow". These are simple, yet powerful words. I've even thought about just reading them and being done. What can I bring to the teachings of Jesus?
To make matters worse, I will be preaching about something with which I have an incredible difficult time. Man how Jesus is right (obvious huh?) about not worrying about tomorrow because of today having its own share of problems. But I find myself, over and over, fixing my gaze on all of the tomorrow's in my life. They are escapes. They bring me hope.
The problem with this, though, is that tomorrow is never mine. I don't own tomorrow to plan out and to place my hope in. I am not fed by the Holy Spirit in any tomorrow (our manna is given to us daily...not in lump sums). We are given today, this moment.
As cliche as it has become, the writers of Dead Poet's Society hit the jackpot with the phrase "Carpe Diem"...seize the day. That is precisely what Jesus calls us to do...seize the day. Focus on what is here, happening right now. Focus on the blessings that God has given us and is giving us now. Focus on what we can do to make The Kingdom come on earth now.
It's interesting how with all of this adoption stuff going on we have such a hard time living in and just enjoying "now". We have become worried with the possibilities that lurk in the future, specifically of the chance (however slight) that the kids could be taken away. And these worries, quite against Jesus' teaching, only serve to cripple us "today". They steal our joy and zap our strength. They blind us from seeing what God is doing...from seeing His many touches on our lives. They even steal precious moments from us with the kids...more worried about the future than about ensuring that we have awesome, quality time with them today!
Never before, that I can remember, have I preached about something so close to home. Really it will likely turn out to be much like this blog post than a polished, manicured message...which is not a bad thing at all. This is a tough topic and my guess is that many people go through life grappling with the same issue...always waiting for tomorrow...for the next thing. I...we...have to figure out how to deal with this so that we can experience the kind of life Jesus wants for us...today.
posted by Michael Shattuck at
12:47 AM
1 Comments:
Before I reached the end of your blog, I was going to say that if you simply read what you wrote there, it would be a powerful sermon. I know that it spoke to me when I read it just now!
Post a Comment
<< Home