Giving Up Always Looking at What’s Next

“I can’t wait for this weekend!”

“I can’t wait for summer to get here.”

“I can’t wait for winter to be over.”

“I can’t wait for my next vacation.”

One thing I find facinating about our culture, including myself, is that we so often are looking to whatever’s next. Whether it’s “getting through” the workday or “surviving” another college semester or being able to celebrate that “finally” spring as arrived, it seems like we very rarely express our contentment for what is right here and right now. 

I really have been thinking a lot lately about things coming up.  Just talking about travel, I was sharing with a friend last night, I am in NE right now, next weekend I’ll be in Ohio at a middle school retreat, in April I’ll be traveling out of the country for a couple weeks, in July I’ll be in TN with my high schoolers and at the end of the month leading 19 high and college students on a mission trip to Belize. Throw in other events, daily life, and 8 concerts plus weekly rehearsals between now and May for the choir I’m in and there really is A LOT for me to both look forward to and prepare for.

Today, I’m giving up always focusing on what’s next; I don’t want to miss the blessings of today.  Sure, I don’t always enjoy the things of “today”… For example, I’d be okay with living in a place where there really wasn’t snow and winter and cold.  70 and sunny all the time would suit me well.  But if I’m constantly complaining about how cold it is, I’ll never see the beauty in the winter.  The tough seasons of life are, well, tough… But by just trying to ignore the hard parts long enough to get through that season takes away potential for growth that comes through facing trials head on. 

It’s true that there will often be some things I need to do in “today” in order for all of those things to happen.  (You can’t just “show up” in Belize with 20 people without any planning and preparation.) But at least for today, I’m focusing on TODAY.  I’ll enjoy the blessings of today, and thank God for the hard parts too. 

“… for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.”  (Philippians 4:11-12)

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” ‭‭(Matthew‬ ‭6:33-34‬)

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