Yes, the title of this blog is meant to make you stop and think. It is a conundrum, in a sense, because how can a person actively be ‘busy missing something’? Allow me to explain.
God the Holy Spirit’s been leaning in on the topic of “being present” lately with my congregation (e.g., Finding Peace When Nothing Is Guaranteed, Two Different Futures), with significant emphasis on perspective. If we’re preoccupied with things that are out of our control, we miss the “now”. The implications are tragic, especially when we not only jeopardize our own well-being in the process but upset our loved ones who thirst for our undivided attention.
The phrase, “too busy missing today”, was something I texted my mom, who sometimes struggles with the same challenges I do. I was expressing a bit of exasperation after recognizing the culprit as to why I’d been at a loss for joy and peace. If folks like us aren’t careful, our minds can drift to the future (and sometimes to the past), and before we know it, we’ve lost the blessing of living in the moment. I have since written a Post-it note right under my computer screen (which I spend hours a day staring at) that reads:
Be PRESENT in ALL you do WHILE you do it!
May I encourage you to remind yourself of this very mindset? And please don’t allow your plethora of canned excuses to rob you of what is rightly yours (read Don’t Let Neglect Sneak Up On for a refresher course on the futility of so-called “multitasking”). Remember, Jesus Christ, Himself, has given us access to His peace; therefore, it is ours to lose.
Peace is a choice we make. It’s not a magical unicorn that we might get lucky and see once or twice in a lifetime. That’s what Satan and the kingdom of darkness would have you believe. Don’t buy the lie. Peace is yours if you choose it. So, make a conscious choice to “be present” and gather up the blessing of peace.
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.
– John 14:27
Can you honestly say for sure what tomorrow will bring? The answer is “no”, of course. So, between the two options (enjoying the “now” or worrying about tomorrow), which one is best?
“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?
Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
“Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”
– Matthew 6:25-34
That was Jesus’ way of saying, “Don’t be too busy missing today.” In other words, make the conscious decision to remain in the “now”. My friend, it’s not that difficult if you get right down to it; however, I say that with a little disclaimer. To a person who never exercises, exercise may be draining. But for a person who’s been training, exercise is relatively easy. If you’re having difficulty focusing on the “now” then just keep doing it, refusing to be distracted by old habits. Like a muscle that gets stronger over time, your mind will get better at focusing on “being present in all you do while you do it!” I say this as a person who continues to train in this area and continues to see wonderful results. Be encouraged; make the choice!
Commit your work to the LORD, and your plans will be established.
– Proverbs 16:3
Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
– Isaiah 41:10
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
…
Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.
I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
– Philippians 4:6-9, 11-13
Love in Christ,
Ed Collins