Good Morning, When Are You Just Now?

2 Corinthians 6:1 (NIV) —

‘I tell you, now is the time of God’s favour, now is the day of salvation.’

On the back of one of our doors there hangs a wooden star. Given to us by a close friend, it bears a hugely important message. There are three words: at the top it says Yesterday – but the word is crossed through. At the bottom is the word Tomorrow, and that too is crossed through. In the middle, in large red letters, is the word NOW.

We used to sing a song based on Hebrews 13:8 with the words: 'Yesterday, today, for ever, Jesus is the same.' That’s a comfort – knowing that God is always, eternally there, never wearing out or getting old, never changing in his love for us. A comfort, but also one which reminds us that while God is eternal, we are not. We live in time: each of us has a past - I may have had great experience of him in my past, and I am grateful for that, but it’s gone and unchangeable.

And each of us has a future – it’s unknown to us (though not to God), but we hope for, and look forward to, more great encounters with him in the future. In between that unchangeable yesterday and that unknown tomorrow is where we all live – the ever-changing NOW! – and by the time you have said the word, it’s already the past!

So if the present moment is the only place where I exist, it’s also the only place where I can encounter God. He is of course present to all time. But now is the time to speak with him, to listen to him. It’s the only place I’ve got!

Prayer - Lord, I’ve got plans for the future and memories of the past, but don’t let me spend my life living there. Help me to live with you, today, in the ever-precious present!