Present - Enjoy the Gift! by Alicia Briscoe

 Fruitful Thought: Are you content or present in the present moment? I know you are probably thinking "What you talking about Willis" in your Gary Colman voice. I believe we experience both states of being when it comes to the present. We are easily distracted by either the next big thing or stuck in our comfort zone. Let's explore the present in both states and see if you agree. If we are honest, we view being content in the present moment as things are going good in our world and we don't want any problems. The state of being content means - satisfied where you are, who you are and what you have. It doesn't mean you are free from trials, obstacles, or the issues of life. It just means your perspective and focus is different. The bible says “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?” (Matthew 6:25).  Jesus is telling us not to worry about anything but be content for life is so much more than tangible and materialistic things.  We must understand that God created us for his glory and he promise that he will give us the desires of our heart.  Also, he said he will not withhold any good thing from us.  I take this to mean that I will have all that I need at the time I need it along with my wants.    

Now let's look at being present in the present moment of life. Often times we miss the present and all that comes with it because our focus is on the wrong thing at the wrong time. I believe this is a huge issue for most. Although we are living in the present we are not embracing it. Think about when you are looking forward to something and something else is going on right in front of you, but you don't give any attention to it. It is like when you anticipate transition from a job and your mind checks out before you physically transition. We get so fixated on what is to come that we miss what is happening in our present moment. I'm sure you have experienced this state at one time or another in your life. I believe being present in the present moment is being attentive and aware to what is happening to engage accordingly.

Take this pandemic for instance. The pandemic was brewing in December 2019, but most of us were focused on other things and dismissed the uprising of sickness as the flu. It took most by surprise when the entire world came to a sudden halt. I believe God wanted our undivided attention. We had become so consume with the hustle and bustle of life. He needed everything to stop and everyone to be still. He needed to get our focus of life and on the one who created life. Fast forward to today. The focus has been the vaccine and getting everybody vaccinated to go back to "normal". We are currently faced with a gas shortage. I don't believe this is by coincidence this is happening all of a sudden. I believe we have lost focus again. I believe God wants to make sure we are getting the lesson of not getting caught up with the past or the future but being in the present. He wants us to pay attention and be alert. Marvin Gaye said it best, "What's Going On". The bible says, "So stay awake, alert. You have no idea what day your Master will show up. But you do know this: You know that if the homeowner had known what time of night the burglar would arrive, he would have been there with his dogs to prevent the break-in. Be vigilant just like that. You have no idea when the Son of Man is going to show up".  (Matthew 24:42-44 MSG)  It also says, “So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. (Matthew 6:34)   

I believe God wants us to be attentive and not allow the cares of the world to overtake us.  He want us to have things and enjoy life, he doesn't want things to have us .  We must not forget who gave us life.  I believe it is equally important to be content and present in the present moment.  Remember the present is a gift from God for us to enjoy now.  Just like when someone gives you a gift, they expect you to enjoy it.  It is not for you to think about what you want next or reminisce on what you got in the past.  If you are reading this you have received the gift of the present from God, so enjoy it!


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