Dec 4 - Matthew 6:34

Jesus said,

Therefore do not worry

about tomorrow,

for tomorrow will

worry about itself.

Each day has enough

trouble of its own.

Matthew 6:34

 

One of the great secrets of life is focusing on today.

 

Focusing too far forward or too far in the past often paralyzes people.

 

Have you seen it?

 

·         Focusing-negatively-on-future-scenarios is what we call worry. The “what if’s” that rob too many of us of too much joy. (This is what Jesus has been warning us about for a dozen verses – including today’s verse. And our Lord is blunt: “do not worry.”)

 

·         Focusing-negatively-on-past-events is (among other things) post-traumatic stress. How many people do you know who have had negative life experiences – abuse, accidents, trauma, war, divorce, job loss, failure – and as a result, they can’t enjoy today because they’re still defined by the trials of the past?

 

Focusing negatively – forward or back – can obviously steal our present-tense joy. But even looking positively forward or back can cripple us too.

 

·         Focusing-positively-on-past-events is called nostalgia. I hope your past was positive. But do you know anyone who longs so desperately for the good old days that they can’t enjoy today?

 

·         Focusing-positively-on-future-events is dreaming. Though generally good, do you know anyone who is so focused on a better tomorrow that they also can’t enjoy today?

 

I hope you have some wonderful, nostalgic memories! (Grandpa’s farm is my nostalgic spot.) And I hope you have grand dreams and great aspirations. (It’s a delight to point toward something fun.) But one of the great secrets to life is focusing on today – not yesterday or tomorrow.

 

In Christ’s Love,

a guy whose making today

the good old days