This Moment.

Back in the Spring when I spent some time with my friend and mentor Kerry, we were talking about an aspect of her personality that comes naturally to her but doesn't seem to come naturally to most people. It so revolutionized my way of thinking (yes, three months later I still think about it on a daily basis, so I thought it was time I share), because I wasn't even aware that this was a struggle of mine until she brought it to my attention. Kerry's natural personality is to live in the moment. Always. Wherever she is, she is there, 100% focused on who and what is in front of her. For me, my mind many times wonders to different people and different places, times of the past, time of the future, places I'd rather be right now. In talking with her about this, how it's a trait I so admire and desire to obtain, she shared with me that there are two reasons that cause her focus to be taken away from the present, and in acknowledging these two causes, I've been able to see them in my own life and learn how to work them out of who I am.

First, when there is an idol in our life, anything that we are holding onto more closely than Christ, we are distracted from the place that He has us at this moment and we miss out on the blessing of what He's given us right now. I find that when I refuse to allow myself to be elsewhere in my mind, that is when I find abundant joy and fulfillment. As John Piper said so accurately, "God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him." When I am satisfied in Him and Him alone, I can be anyplace with anyone and it won't make a difference- He will be receiving equal glory because I am equally satisfied in Him in every situation.

The second reason for not living fully in the moment is when there is an unconfessed sin of the past that is stealing our joy for the present. As I contemplated this, I realized that when there is a situation that has not been dealt with, it indeed steals my peace. Not until confession and forgiveness have taken place am once again to move on and continue in the path of peace.

I want to really know what it's like to live in the light. THAT takes a whole lot of humility that can only be obtained by His grace.

The first step in defeating sin is acknowledging its presence. I want to continue living in the joy of the moment, being quick to ask for forgiveness for my wrongdoings, and not ever holding any earthly thing more dear to me than Christ himself.