We are always thinking about what’s next. We wake up and our mind is on getting to work. When we get to work, we look forward to getting home. Then when we get home, we start planning our day for tomorrow. On Wednesday we are already planning what we will do for the weekend.
Do we ever really live in the moment we are in? I can’t even begin to count how many times I have said “I don’t want to wish my life away, BUT I am ready for this event, this week or even this month to be over.”
When my oldest son was in preschool there was a lady from our church that worked at the preschool he was in and I would occasionally take her home when she needed a ride. This particular day she needed a ride home and I was happy to take her. On the way home, I was lamenting the chaos of three children born in 4 ½ years. I was all wrapped up in my woes and at one point said “I can’t wait until they are just a little older. Then things will be easier.”
I didn’t realize that my selfish rant had hit a nerve with her until I got home. As the kids were sitting down to lunch this woman phoned with a literal wake up call.
“I don’t think you see what a good life you have,” she said. “You have three healthy,happy kids, and you would rather spend your time complaining about what’s going on than just enjoying them at this stage.”
There was more that was said, but those 2 sentences were the gist of the conversation. She was right, how many times had I been missing the joy of a moment or making a memory because I was thinking ahead to the next stage.
“It was as He reclined at the table with them that He took the bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized Him, but He disappeared from their sight. So they said to each other, ‘Weren’t our hears ablaze within us while He was with us on the road and explaining scripture to us?” Luke 24:30-33
Can you can imagine how disappointed the disciples were when they realized that they had been in the very presence of Jesus and they didn’t know it was him until it was too late. They were unknowing witnesses to a powerful speech from their Savior. Yet they missed this incredible moment because they were so wrapped up in their dispute about what really happened to Jesus.
Are we missing moments with Jesus? Far too often I have read my devotions and had my praise time like a robot so I could cross it off my to do list and move on to the next thing. I'm sure I have missed incredible moments with Jesus because I’m looking ahead. I’ve said many times in my life that I just wish He would put a note on my pillow so I would know exactly what to do. But what if I missed the chance to hear His voice because I simply wasn’t listening? Maybe I am like the disciples and choose to focus on the wrong thing.
Jesus loves us so much, He chose a violent death for our salvation. He waits patiently for me to put Him first, while I’m impatiently looking ahead. And we both lose when I do that.
Today I choose to be intentional in my time with Jesus. I am asking Him to help me to delight in His word and to silence my mind so I can clearly hear His voice. And then tomorrow I will do the same, and the next day and the day after that until I can’t wait for my time with Jesus each day because of the complete joy it brings to my life. I am completely aware this may very well be years in the making, but I also know it isn’t going to just happen either. I have to be intentional in making it happen.
Jesus said, “These things I have spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.” John 15:11
How will you be more intentional in hearing Jesus voice this year?
