IN THE MOMENT

At this particular moment, I am excited to bring another faith article to you. Yup, to you and for you. I am honored that you are taking several moments of your valuable time to read this month's article. And for that, I am grateful.

I'm up at 6:45 AM this Sunday, 4/2/2023, getting my church online this week. I felt like trying to put something on paper last night, but I drew a blank and got nothing. I'm just trying to put into words how to live "in the moment."

Or at least how I have become more successful at living in the moment day by day. Now here's where it gets good and where God once again shows that He's a funny guy. So, Pastor Ed's giving his welcoming monologue for the Saturday night service that I'm watching this Sunday morning, and BAM! He casually quotes pastor chuck Smith about "living with the consciousness of God's presence." Please take a moment to let this sink in and understand what it truly means. And that's how you do it. Yup, you quite simply live every moment in the consciousness of and in God's presence. Very simple, not always easy, but very doable.

But wait, there's more. I had to go see Sunday's service live and direct. So we then went to the 8:45 service, and what Ed said was put on his heart was ridiculous; ridiculous as in simply amazing and just more confirmation of how God is always working in, on, and for us 24/7. He went there, yup. Ephesian chapter 6 verses 16-17 (NKJV): "… above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God." So what say we take many moments every day to do business with God, always with prayer and supplication in the spirit, and put on this helmet to protect our minds and to remind us who we are in Christ.

In closing, I would like to circle back to how I have learned to live "in the moment" more and more on my journey. I quite simply put in work and do business with God without ceasing. It is no different than having a passion for something I love and becoming proficient at something that is important to me. It has been noted that it takes 10,000 repetitions to become proficient at something. Sports is my God-given gift and the platform I draw experience from to apply the same disciplines to do business with and grow closer and more intimate with God. It comes down, once again, to the big three disciplines: prayer, Bible study, and fellowship. So keep putting in work and get to know Him while drawing on whatever gift He has bestowed you with. And be encouraged and comforted by the fact that He has made you—yes, you, a little lower than the angels, and He has crowned you with glory and honor. He will be forever mindful of you. Oh, and remember to have fun with it and enjoy every moment of the journey designed specifically for you.

Until next time,

Be blessable and much love,

Larry