Different people have different philosophies about life. Some people encourage us to remember our past for various reasons. Some people direct us to focus on the future. Some people just want to live in the moment. While all these philosophies have valid points, the only one that we can actually do is living in the moment. Now, I know that some people who buy into living in the moment can sometimes be reckless and irresponsible. We can live in the moment and still make wise decisions and plan for the future, while at the same time remembering where we came from. In fact, remembering where we came from is imperative for having a better future and working in the present in order to improve the future.
For those who always live in the past, they stagnate. I know what is like to want things to be like they were when I was growing up. But at the same time, I need to remember that when I was living that life, I wanted things to be different. I guess maybe it’s human nature to never be satisfied. Somebody once said that we cannot raise our children like we were raised because that world does not exist anymore. That is a true statement to an extent. We can still raise our children to be respectful and courteous, however, we also need to teach them to be more cautious and more responsible. Temptation and evil are much more prevalent today because sin, immorality, hatred, and self-centeredness are celebrated and promoted in our society. Yes, they existed when I was a kid, however, we didn’t have access to the internet nor were those things the main themes of television shows and movies.
For those who always live for the future, they have to decide how long they are going to be around. The problem with that is, none of us know how long we are going to be on this earth. Now that does not mean we should not plan for the future; it means our entire life should not be about the future. I have often posed the question in Bible classes, “What would you do if you knew you had only two weeks left to live.” The answers vary from spending more time with family, traveling, and trying to get everyone they know into a saving relationship with Jesus. Of course, after the discussion, I would ask, “Since you don’t even know you have two weeks, why aren’t you doing those things now?”
We cannot change the past (but oh how many try!). We can plan for but not control the future. All that we can really do is make the most of the time we have right now. In Luke 12:16-21, Jesus tells the parable of the rich fool who thought he had his future under control and all he needed to live a life of ease and luxury. Then God demanded his soul and all that he worked for was for naught as it would all go to somebody else. Pay attention to how Jesus closes this parable, “This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God” (Luke 12:21). Jesus is not condemning being rich or preparing for the future but being focused on self and not recognizing God, who gave all the blessings we have. It is far more important to be rich toward God than to just be rich.
Paul also addresses the issue of time in Ephesians 5:15-17–15 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. Basically Paul is saying, “Don’t squander your time and make sure you God is first in your life.” Anybody that has studied the Bible with someone has heard the comment or something similar to, “I will get baptized when I get my life right.” The fact is, nobody can get their life right until after they give it to Jesus. Besides, how does one know when their life is “right enough?”
The conclusion is, we must live in the present. There is not a thing we do about the past, and we don’t know how much future we have. In order to live a full life, we have to be obedient to God. Since we don’t know when our tome is up or when Jesus will return, it is of the utmost importance to obedient to the gospel and all that Jesus teaches now.
Read Matthew 24:36-44