I spent most of my business career working with international teams to win deals from global companies. Many days, I would be up early in the morning working with teams in England and Europe which were 6 and 7 hours ahead my US Central Time Zone. Then, at night, I would often carve out time to work with Asian/Australian teams who were 12 to 15 hours ahead of me. Our teams spent the majority of our day focused on future deals. The problem was, I seldom gave my wife and my kids 100% of my focused attention. I almost always had business on my mind…seldom sincerely in the moment and missed so many opportunities for treasured times with my wife and kids.
God wants us to plan for the future but be in the moment. Live each day to the max treasuring the moments and being aware of opportunities to rub up against others especially our spouse and kids. He want us to prioritize our days in a way that gives us time for key relationships (God, family, and friends) and for others that He may bring into our paths. At the end of the day when life on earth is done, we will discover from God this whole shooting match on earth was about relationships. Matthew 8:34 speaks to this, “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” The Bible tells us to keep our eyes on today as we live out life in a way that glorifies Christ sharing light and His love to others. With our focus on the future, we frequently miss the joys and purpose that God has for today. James the brother of Jesus is candid about this in chapter 4 verses 13&14, “Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” Why? You do not even know what will happen tomorrow.” Be careful. Don’t take life for granted. Set your attention on today.
Some of us have another issue and are stuck in the past. We can’t get freed up to live in the moment because of hurts, phobias, and darkness from past experiences, relationships, and addictions. Our time is spent dealing with our problems day after day preoccupied within ourselves. Let me challenge you to start this very day to get help cleaning up all the personal debris. You will not resolve your issues on your own. Start by sincerely crying out to God spending time with Jesus in His word. He is the healer. Swallow your pride and reach out to a genuine Christian who will not be condemning and will support you giving you truthful, Godly guidance. Find a group like Re:Gen, Celebrate Recovery, or AA to find hope for each day. Make a comment in Barnabas Man with contact info. I will get back to you. If you have read my blogs, you know that I am someone who has been weighted down by depression in my past. It is time to get humble and real and take a risk by reaching out for help. Remember this powerful, forceful verse in Psalm 34:18, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
Don’t throw today away!
Barnabas Man 