One of the challenges we all face daily is the temptation to live in either the past or the future. It’s an easy thing to do because you escape the reality of life and what you must face today. When Donna died I withdrew into the past. I discovered a million ways to blame myself for something could not control. None of us wanted her to die – we loved her. Anytime someone close to you passes, it should be a time of reflection, and a time to reevaluate your life. Reevaluation may not be fun, but it can be constructive if you keep the right mindset.
When Adam and Eve sinned and God issued the decree that all must die, I believe He used death as a tool to remind us to reconsider our paths. Reevaluating does not include constantly condemning your ignorance or dwelling on past mistakes. This serves no constructive purpose and “If only . . .” is a waste of your time. See the issues for what they are, evaluate the source of the negative behavior, repent, and ask the Holy Spirit to redirect you path when similar circumstances arise again. Then let go. It’s over and nothing you can do will change it. In Micah 7:19 it describes what God does with your past sins: “Once again you (God) will have compassion on us. You will trample our sins under your feet and throw them into the depths of the ocean!” When you beat yourself up for past mistakes, you question God’s decision to forgive you. You assumed His position as God and that’s not wise. Let go.
So, it is also unwise to live in “how it’s going to be.” You know me well enough to know that I have always supported and encouraged you to reach for the stars, so God can fulfill the desires of your heart. However, Disneyland is not real. It’s a great place visit, but you cannot live there. Believing that God is the wish fairy is not realistic. He wants you living in the real world dealing with real issues that He feels will strengthen and develop you to your maximum potential. Ecclesiastes 11:6 (NIV) says: “Sow your seed in the morning, and at evening let not your hands be idle, for you do not know which will succeed, whether this or that, or whether both will do equally well.” Life should be a process of making your priorities, planning how to achieve them, developing small projects to complete along the way (that he can redirect if necessary) and then you will attain the position where you can best fulfill His purpose. Remember those 4P’s. But also remember, Your Father will add in the course corrections so you will find the best success for you, not just any success. Cheap success is no success at all.
Jesus addressed living in the present very plainly in Matthew 6:32 – 34. (The Message) “What I’m trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God’s giving. People who don’t know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.” To put it another way, seek God’s heart, not His hand and be satisfied with Him fulfilling your desires, His way. I promise you that the contentment will far exceed anything you could imagine about worldly success. Peace and Joy.
Love Dad.