“I heard you at the acceptable time, and in the day of salvation I helped you.” Look, now is the acceptable time; look, now is the day of salvation! (2 Corinthians 6:2)
Sometimes I live in the past. I talk about how things were better “back when.” I camp on previous accomplishments, or rehash old problems until they ruin my present joy. My feet sink into the quicksand of the past.
Often I hanker for what my earthly life may yet be. When I can afford to buy a … If only I could connect with my soul mate, then … As soon as I get free of this problem … My head floats in the ether of the future.
Oh, that I might learn to live in the now. I don’t need a different history. In Christ, I’m separated from regrets as far as the east is from the west. Moreover, to be whole, I don’t need the future I conjure. Everything necessary for supreme joy is in my hands, now.
When you sift the chaff out of fulfillment, what remains as the active ingredients?
First, I need a Savior to free me from guilt. I have that.
Next, I need my clean but empty soul filled with the presence of the Holy Spirit. Check, I have that too.
Lastly, I need a present moment to celebrate God’s love.
If I’ll stop fretting the past and fondling the future, I’ll discover I have what I need—salvation, the Spirit, and now.
In the next age, my faculties will be upgraded so my worship can intensify a hundredfold. But I have an opportunity in the present era for a form of adoration not available in paradise. It honors God more when I do the hard thing of pushing past the world’s veil to glorify him, than when I do the easy thing of praising him face to face in heaven.
God’s greatest favor begins now, while I have salvation, Spirit-filling, and the opportunity to sit here and worship from this side of the veil.
Prayer: Holy King, I receive your favor and worship you in this moment.