Judy Mills

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September 11, 2015

Way #27 – The Art of Being Present

Picture w: MC

“Life is what happens when you’re busy making other plans.”  John Lennon

I so relate to that statement. I’m guilty of letting life happen while in my mind I’m making other plans or thinking about other things. I recall some of my children’s birthday parties where, instead of fully enjoying the celebration, I was thinking of how to clean up the mess when the party was over. Sometimes on vacation I start thinking about what needs to be done when we return home.

The struggle also exists in the daily events of life. I can be engaged in one activity, even talking to one specific person, but my thoughts can be miles away, or my attention focused a few feet away.  Social media has certainly increased the challenge. At the same time I’m hanging out with my family I can “be” in the lives of numerous other people.

Then there are the times I’d rather be most anywhere but in the circumstance or experiencing the emotions of the present moment. I’ve done many random things to distract myself, to escape.

I believe this is a challenge many of us face. Yet it’s something I desperately want to overcome. Life IS what is happening right now, right in front of us. Why would I, why would we allow ourselves to miss it, or only be partially present for it?

There’s great beauty, an art form brought to our lives when we are fully present in the present moment, when all our attention is focused on the person or events at hand.  A while back God put a phrase in my mind:

Be present in the present in My Presence

When I shared it with a friend, she added:

It’s a present (a gift) to be present (fully focused and engaged) in the present (immediate moment in time) in God’s Presence.

Each day is an incredible gift. Each moment of every day is an incredible gift. The question is, are we opening this amazing, life-changing present? King David made an astounding statement in Psalm 16:11. It’s a statement about living with God in the present moment:

“You’ve made known to me the path of life; You fill me with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand.”

Whatever is going on in the present moment, be it seemingly mundane or completely undesirable, we can have joy. We can experience the pleasure that comes from being in God’s presence. This is the way God intends for us to live.

King David also said:

 “A single day in Your courts is better than a thousand anywhere else! I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than live the good life in the homes of the wicked” (Psalm 84:10).

I cringe when I think of the irreplaceable moments and days I’ve wasted by failing to embrace each moment.  If you share this struggle, join me in practicing Way #27 of 52 Ways to Glorify God. Make each day a masterpiece by choosing to:

Be present in the present in God’s presence.

Let’s don’t miss out on this incredible present!

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Filed Under: 52 Ways to Glorify God Tagged With: Be present, joy, pleasure

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