Seize Today

Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear.”? Luke 12:22

My friend Wayne Pederson used to sign his letters and e-mail correspondence with the words, “Focus forward!” No more. He’s changed the complimentary close to read, “Seize today!” He discovered that when he was always focused forward, pushing to reach goals and objectives, he missed a lot of the view on the journey.

Here’s how he describes it: “At a meeting I was checking my e-mail [on my iPhone] when the leader asked me a question. I had entirely tuned out of the discussion. Busted!” 

Waiting for a flight, he picked up a book at the airport entitled The Present by Spencer Johnson. Says Johnson, “When you receive the present, you no longer spend your time dreaming about being somewhere else. Being in the present means focusing on what is happening right now.”

And when all of this came together, Wayne began to realize that it was time to make some personal adjustments and change his focus from forward to today! He concludes, “When I’m having a quiet dinner with someone, I’m going to focus on my guest (and the taste and texture of the food!). And if you catch me not doing that, look at me and say, ‘Busted!’”

Take the time to smell the flowers, enjoy the wonder of your children discovering something, notice the smile of your wife and enjoy the squeeze of her hand in yours. No wonder the Bible mentions today some 194 times while it mentions tomorrow only 81 times. God’s focus is on today. It’s the only time in your life that you can do something about. It’s still true: “Yesterday is a cancelled check. Tomorrow is a promissory note. Today is a gift given to us to enjoy. That’s why it’s called the present.” 

Wayne Pederson is right on target: Seize today!

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Used with permission from Guidelines International Ministries. To learn more about Guidelines and the ministry, send an e-mail to [email protected]. You may also visit www.guidelines.org.