By the time you are reading this, I will be in recovery mode. Our church just will have completed its vacation Bible school on Thursday night.
VBS is one of the most exhilarating and exhausting weeks rolled into one that any church can experience. I know that I look forward to this week every year, but I also am relieved when it is over.
Sometimes I fear that I anticipate new things or upcoming events so much that I don’t enjoy the time leading up to them. And then when they come, I am so looking forward to their completion that I don’t enjoy the events themselves.
It all seems kind of silly, but it is true. I am so busy thinking of the past and planning for the future that the present is almost forgotten or neglected. What a shame!
God has called us to live in the present. Now, both our past and future are of significance.
Our past has molded us in both good and bad ways. We can look to the past to see where God has made an impact in our lives. We give thanks for that. And we also learn from past mistakes, hoping not to repeat them.
Certainly the believer has hope for the future. God has promised a glorious future for his children. I look forward to the time when I will be reunited with loved ones who have gone before me and with the Lord, who gave his life for me.
But for now, I must live in the present. I can plan for the future. I can set goals and have dreams.
But each and every day presents itself with challenges and opportunities for service and ministry. If I continually dwell on the past or dream of the future, I will accomplish nothing today.
Paul spoke of this when he said, “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.”
Paul was reminding the Philippians that there is a wonderful future for the follower of Christ.
At the same time, his life was meant to bless others, and as long as he had breath, he would seek to do just that. I know I want to do the same thing.
I am excited about the life God has given to me. It’s not perfect, but I want to give it to him as a loving sacrifice for all that he has done for me. I encourage you to do the same.
God has placed you here on his earth for a purpose. Be careful to fulfill that purpose. Do what God has called you to do with every ounce of energy you can give. It will be worth it all.