Sometimes we get stuck in the past. You know, boasting about triumphs or complaining about trials. We should not be puffed up or defeated by the events of the past. However, we don’t want to forget what we have learned – history can be a great teacher. But, if you are preoccupied with the past, it can be very difficult to see where you are going. Jesus made clear that it is important to focus on what we are doing and where we are going.
- Luke 9:62 But Jesus said to him, “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”
Other times we get captivated by the future. We can spend a great deal of time and energy planning for this or worrying about that. We shouldn’t be obsessed with, or stressed by, what may (or may not) happen in the future. However, we never want to ignore what’s ahead – being prepared is responsible and reasonable. But, if you are too focused on the future, you may miss out on what is happening today. Jesus made clear that we shouldn’t be overly concerned with the future as there are plenty of things that require our attention today.
- Matthew 6:34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
So how do we find the proper balance of learning from the past, planning for the future, and living in the present?
As with all things, we turn to the Bible. The Word of God makes clear that God has made plans. And as the sovereign creator and ruler of the universe, infinite and eternal, all-powerful and all-knowing, His plans will come to pass. We see from scripture that He has made plans that are both macro (universal) and micro (personal) in nature, scope and detail.
Macro
- Psalm 33:10-11 The Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; He makes the plans of the peoples of no effect. 11 The counsel of the Lord stands forever, The plans of His heart to all generations.
- Isaiah 46:9-10 Remember the former things of old, For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me, 10 Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things that are not yet done, Saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, And I will do all My pleasure,’
- Acts 15:18 “Known to God from eternity are all His works.
Micro
- Psalm 139:16 Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, The days fashioned for me, When as yet there were none of them.
- Proverbs 16:9 A man’s heart plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps.
- Acts 17:26-27 And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings, 27 so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us;
And although we don’t know every detail of His plans, Father God has not left us in the dark. He has shown us His way and the way.
God Reveals His Plans
- Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.
- Isaiah 9:2 The people who walked in darkness Have seen a great light; Those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, Upon them a light has shined.
- John 8:12 Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”
- John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
Knowing He has good and perfect plans, we are empowered by the past, encouraged by the future, and engaged in the here and now. We look to His Word for instructions and guidance about how to live in a way that brings glory to Him and effectively shares His truth with others.
The following is just a minute sample of the truth and wisdom contained in the Holy Bible on living in the here and now.
- Mark 12:29-31 Jesus answered him, “The first of all the commandments is: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment. 31 And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”
- To love God, and to love others as He has loved us.
- Micah 6:8 He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?
- To do what is right and kind, and to be truly humble.
- Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.
- To trust in Him in all things, and to follow His directions.
- Luke 9:23 Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.
- To reject our selfish desires, and to follow Jesus.
- Philippians 4:8-9 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. 9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.
- To think about things that honor God, and to learn from others.
- Philippians 4:11-13 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: 12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
- To be content in all circumstances, and to depend on Christ’s strength (not our own).
- Matthew 28:19-20 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
- To take His Word to the world, and to teach His truth to those willing to learn.
- John 14:15 “If you love Me, keep My commandments.
- To be obedient to Jesus.
None of us have it all figured out or are doing in all right. But we leave our failures from the past and our fears about the future at the foot of the cross where Jesus Christ died to reconcile us to Father God, we move on, trusting in His plans and promises.
- Philippians 3:12-14 Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. 13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
With experience and wisdom from the past,
with excitement and assurance about the future,
in each moment, we both strive and surrender,
to be and become all that He has planned for us!
Prayer
Holy Father, help Your children to live in the here and now by accepting and believing the things that we can’t fully understand; the truth of Your Word, the love You have for all people, and the perfect plans You have made. Empower us to humbly and lovingly share these truths with those who have rejected or have not yet heard. I ask these things in the name above every other name, Jesus Christ. Amen.
