Living Here and Now

As I was listening to music on my computer, the song “Miracle of the Moment” by Steven Curtis Chapman popped up. Check out the lyrics:

Miracle of the Moment
It’s time for letting go
All of our if only’s
‘Cause we don’t have a time machine
And even if we did
Would we really want to use it?
Would we really want to go change everything?
‘Cause we are who and where and what we are for now
And this is the only moment we can do anything about

So breathe it in and breathe it out
Listen to your heartbeat
There’s a wonder in the here and now
It’s right there in front of you
And I don’t want you to miss
The miracle of the moment

There’s only one who knows
What’s really out there waiting
In all the moments yet to be
And all we need to know
Is He’s out there waiting
To Him the future’s history
And He has given us a treasure called right now
And this is the only moment we can do anything about

And if it brings you tears
Then taste them as they fall
And let them soften your heart
And if it brings you laughter
Then throw your head back
And let it go, let it go
You gotta let it go
Listen to your heartbeat

Breathe it in and breathe it out
Listen to your heartbeat
There’s a wonder in the here and now
It’s right there in front of you
And I don’t want you to miss
The miracle of the moment.

Listening to the lyrics really convicted me because I so often live by the “if only’s” of life. It is always good to be reminded that living by “if only’s” is not truly living. God wants us to enjoy the blessings of the moment and to live for His glory in each moment in life. I love the part verse that says “He has given us a treasure called right now”! It reminds me of a quote from that prestigious and timeless tale…Kung Fu Panda. Yes, I am kidding about it being prestigious and timeless, but all the same, the quote is good. Master Oogway gently reprimands Po when he voices discouragement and thoughts of going back to making noodles. Oogway says, “You are too concerned about what was and what will be. There is a saying: yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift. That is why it is called the “present.’” I just love that! So often we look at the ‘present’ as something to be cast aside; we view the future to be the present that we are going to receive and do not rejoice for the moment that God has given us. Colossians 3:15b says, “And be thankful.” Paul gives no time constraints to this command. Verse 17 goes on to say, “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” In all we do, including living, we need to give thanks.