God of the Right Now

Daily Gratitude Year 10 - Day 137: Today, I am grateful God is a God of the "right now". 

Some people are planners. Others fly by the seat of their pants. I am somewhere in the middle. I like a plan, but a little spontaneity is good for the soul. 

Can we make intentional decisions to embrace our "right now"? 

I believe we can. Jesus often did that very thing. People expected him to behave in certain ways at specific times, but he always responded to people in the moment. He walked with them, in the "right now". 

"God is the God of the 'right now.' He doesn't want you sitting around regretting yesterday. Nor does He want you wringing your hands and worrying about the future. He wants you focusing on  what He is saying to you and putting in front of you... right now." -Priscilla Shirer 

We cannot change yesterday. Regrets get us nowhere. Anxiety about the future is wasted energy over things that may never happen. Life is a gift given daily. It is the right now where decisions are made. How often do we forget to live in the "right now"?

I've had a longtime fascination with Joseph. His life was full of highs and lows. From deep wells and prison cells... to places of honor in the Pharaoh's court. The crazy thing about Joseph's troubles was the length of their duration. Years... not just days... spent in the hard seasons of his life. 

Still, Joseph held tightly to the knowledge his God was real and good. His God allowed some of the tough stuff, but in the end... it worked out for Joseph's good and the good of God's people. 

"Joseph replied, “Don’t be afraid. Do I act for God? Don’t you see, you planned evil against me but God used those same plans for my good, as you see all around you right now—life for many people. Easy now, you have nothing to fear; I’ll take care of you and your children.” He reassured them, speaking with them heart-to-heart." -Genesis 50:19-21 (The Message)

We have nothing to fear when He is near. He is present and we are accounted for... because we matter to Him. Crazy? 

Today, I am grateful God is a God of the "right now".