With the stress from upcoming exams or whatever life begins to throw at me, I find myself focusing on the next task or what tomorrow looks like. In moments like this I forget that I need to be present in where I am now, not where I will be. Where I will be is unknown, I don’t know what life will be in the next year or the year after and so on. So why do I and so many others get caught up in what will happen next, rather than live in the present situation I am in? A week ago, I was sitting with my Tuesday small group when one of the people in the group, Anthony, said one simple thing that caused me to think about this question. As we were enjoying laughing and eating pizza, he said that this is what we should be focused on, little moments we spend together. He said that life is too short to be worried about what’s next. This stuck with me and I absolutely agree with the sentiment. I began to read in Matthew, which spoke directly to this point. In chapter 6 verse 25-27 says, “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?” And later on in verse 33-34 it says, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” This verse reveals some very key aspects about how we should live our life each day, in order to be effective and honor God.

God will provide.

It’s easy to worry about our lives each day. Finances, school, work and more always pile up in our minds, filling us with this stress and constant fear about what will come in the future. This is one of my biggest struggles, it’s difficult to see that in all things God will provide for me, yet over and over again I am blessed in ways I would have never guessed. The main problem is that I don’t want to fully trust in him, to give up what I think is best and let God lead. It’s something that I believe most people struggle with, to not be in full control of our own lives. I have to remind myself each day that God is in control, that I give complete trust in him and let him lead me. Once I do this, my fears and worries seem to be so small, because I know that I am able to face all things with Christ. God takes care of the birds, and he will take care of me.

Struggles will still come at us.

This verse doesn’t say that once we trust God for today all our trouble goes away, I wish that were the case. We will still face it, but we should only face what we must each day it comes our way. Essentially trusting God with the small bricks and not focusing on the castle that is life. Everything takes time, we don’t complete a large task in one day. We must face our problems each day and trust what God wants us to do in order to grow in wisdom. Strive towards what is good and gives life, and avoid the temptations that the enemy uses to distract us from our purpose. Take hold of every moment in your day, using every opportunity to pour into someone else and fill yourself with things that please Christ. Trust him with all of your struggles and they won’t seem so big.

Value the simple moments.

We were not made to be worrisome or fearful people, we were made to enjoy the creation that God made for us. So enjoy it! We are not guaranteed tomorrow, so focus on the relationships you have during your day. Speak life to others, use your influence to change someone else, be the light to others. We should always prepare for the future, but don’t get lost in your thoughts about it. Grow in your relationship with Christ, live in full community with others, and trust in God.

Remember to enjoy what you have now and trust that everything has a purpose. So the next time you feel like you are too busy to spend time with a friend, or are too embarrassed to have some fun, remember that we aren’t promised tomorrow. Does this mean make foolish decisions? Of course not! Living life to the fullest doesn’t mean make poor decisions, it simply means to take hold of what we have been given and enjoy the Gods’ creation. Have some fun, and always place your trust in the one who has the big picture in mind.

This week I will be attending the Orange conference which is all about next generation leadership. I am very excited about this opportunity and the fact that I won a ticket to the event! I will talk next week about what I saw and heard and can’t wait to share with you all that I have learned. I plan on enjoying every moment and taking hold of every opportunity that may push my comfort zone. What will you do to take hold of life? Thanks for reading.

-Joshua Thomas