Monday, July 18, 2011

Now is Important, right?


Where you are is important. Often we want to reminisce about where we were or look ahead to where we’re going. Indeed it is a difficulty to look at the ‘right now’ and feel any sense of happiness, joy or completion.

In many regards Lewis said it rightly, “We are far too easily pleased,” and in many estimations he is correct, however in this consideration he is wrong. For we are not mused with what were doing now, or where we sit now, or, even at times, where we live now. Wanting rather to dream about bigger pictures as opposed to seeing the wholeness of the current picture.

We find ourselves asking the questions, “What if I moved?” “What if I changed jobs?” or even, “What if I married another person?” Ever wondering about “could be’s” or “might-possibly-be’s” but not carrying for the “what is.”

Though it is not inherently wrong to look ahead or behind and remember lessoned learn or the beauty of the future, it is wrong to forget what is happening now and substitute it for the things that might, could, maybe (1 in a million, or last man on earth) be.

And in this regard Lewis is right, we are far too easily pleased with the possibilities of what might be (or what has been). Because even if the hopeful things happen we’re still in the current and it won’t be much different, if at all, even in another location.

The issue in the end is not the things that could change, but our hearts. Why do we not love the place we live? Why do we need a change of jobs? Because we do not see our situation as worship, rather we see it as something that ought to be pleasing us (and failing at doing so).

“Only let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him… You were bought with a price; do not become slaves of men. So, brothers, in whatever condition each is called, there let him remain with God.” (1 Cor. 7:17, 23-24)

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