The Joy of the Present

Walking with God in such a close, loving, personal relationship in which He pours out His love into our hearts and speaks His desires and directions into our thoughts changes everything about our world. Our values are different, our views are changed, our priorities shift. Many noticeable differences are apparent to others who have known us.

One difference we notice about ourselves is that we have moved from the center of our universe and the world no longer revolves around us any more. By accepting God's loving care and placing our lives in His hands, He can take His rightful place as Lord and we become part of the body of people throughout the world and the ages that have sought and found Him and give Him worship in return for His eternal redemptive love and daily loving care. We are no longer alone, and we are no longer responsible for making everything and everyone around us be in their proper place and work as we think they ought to. What a load to release! What a relief to give up that burden! What a blessing to enter the rest that God gives His children, and be free to simply focus on what God wants to do in each of our own lives.

A second difference we soon notice is that we no longer have to worry about any time except *now.* We can live in the present and have full confidence that the God of Eternity has taken all of the past into consideration and has all of the future covered. Since He is the great I AM, the God of the present, I want to focus on what He is saying right now so I don't miss anything that comes from the heart of the One who loves me so much. The vain regrets of the past are released for He has covered them with His blood. The vague shapeless worries of the future are burned away by the brilliance of the light of His Word which sheds light on the next step of the path. He gives me this moment in time as mine to do with as I will -- such an awesome thought and an incredible responsibility. It drives me right back to Him in fearful reverent awe for advice, counsel, and wisdom to know what I should do so that I won't disappoint Him and He will gain glory.

Since I am no longer the Lord of Space and Time, I no longer have to carry such a crushing burden of responsibility and I can relate to those around me in the same loving care that I am given by the One who is the true Lord of Infinity and Eternity.

Psalms 95
v.3 For the Lord is the great God, the great King above all gods.
v.6 Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker.
Psalms 96
v.4 For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; He is to be feared above all gods.
v.8 Ascribe to the Lord the glory due His name, bring an offering and come into His courts.

Lord, we willingly walk in the limits and bounds of the space and time You place us in, following the prescribed paths You direct us down, knowing that Your love and desire for us will do us good and not harm. Through You we will come into the vastness of Your creation in Your time and we seek to be properly prepared and trained and shaped for the work You have waiting for us. We are Yours, and we gladly give You our sacrifice of praise.

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