Steadfast In Sacrifice (Part 3): More In The Moment
Stuck
It’s amazing how you can get stuck on some of the smallest things in life. If you’ve ever stepped on a piece of gum before, you know exactly what I’m talking about. It may not be the stickiest thing in the world, but when it’s stuck to your shoe, it certainly becomes the most annoying thing.
Even after scraping the nasty wad off, the battle’s just begun. Every step you take now has a slight pop due to the tiny fragments still shoved into the tread of your shoe. And after enduring the mental anguish of 10,000 of these subtle pops, you pop—
“Feeling stuck” is always an amplified experience. Much in the same way you’d calculate a dog’s age, life’s stuck moments are also multiplied. Sometimes we feel stuck because of decisions we’ve made, other times, we’re challenged by things that are outside our control. As frustrating as it all can be, Joshua 1:9 (MSG) encourages us with the following:
“Don’t be discouraged. God, your God, is with you every step you take.”
Even when you feel stalled out, like you’ve lost your sense of momentum, God is still with you. That’s why you can’t afford to wait on the come-and-go nature of momentum. Waiting for momentum is fleeting—
living in the moment is freeing.
Instead of waiting, start wading. Wading into new waters, new ways of looking at your situation. Really get back to being fully engaged in the moment. When you’re living in the moment, the limits you’ve placed on yourself & your situation start to fall by the wayside.
The spiritual rust that’s accumulated gets knocked off. You no longer allow a lack of traction to become an excuse for a lack of action. Because you realize that today’s the day to live freely again. And it starts—
at this moment.
Back in the moment
Prolonged stagnancy ultimately leads us to the prison of complacency. That’s not a place where any of us desire to be, which is why living in the moment needs to be both practical & sustainable.
Here are 3 thoughts for achieving that end:
#1: Reposition
“Don’t sit there watching the wind. Do your own work. Don’t stare at the clouds. Get on with your life.” Ecclesiastes 11:3-4 (MSG)
If you’ve found yourself sitting on your hands (or staring at a screen) for far too long, this one’s for you. Instead of putting things off, it’s time to put things in their proper place again. God didn’t design you to be a drifter—
you’re a director.
Life doesn’t get to take you where it wills, your willpower & your choices are the major determining factors. So first things first, take a step back from your situation & reposition. Don’t let inaction weigh you down, take action to propel you forward. Your mantra may simply be this, I may feel stuck, but—
I refuse to be stagnant.
#2: Reapply
The antidote for complacency is consistency. Think about it this way. What’s the most effective sunscreen? It’s not necessarily the one with the greatest level of SPF, it’s the one that’s still on your skin when you need it most. It only works as well as it’s reapplied—and the same is true for us.
There’s no substitute for showing up day after day & bringing your best. Dependability may appear ordinary, but because it’s so rare, it’s actually extraordinary. When your character is rooted in Christ-centered consistency, it becomes an anchor for any circumstance. It can be a source of humility when times are good, and a source of hope when times are bad. With God, what you have to bring to the table each day is—
more than enough.
#3: Remember
“You can’t put God’s kingdom off till tomorrow. Seize the day.” Luke 9:62 (MSG)
God’s kingdom isn’t a “there & then” kingdom, it’s a here & now one. You have to remember how brief this life really is. In the grand scheme of eternity, this is only a moment in time.
You’re never as stuck as you think you are. The only thing set in stone is the fact that God knew this was the best possible time for you to leave an impact on the world around you. Today is a good day—
Live it to the fullest.
Take a moment
You may be stuck in the middle of a tough moment in life, but it’s still just a moment. You’re not going to be stuck forever. When you feel like you’re sinking in whatever you’re stuck in, take a moment to look up. Look to the God who created this very moment. Don’t get stuck on your situation, be awestruck by God’s unfailing character.
In wisdom, He hung the galaxies and put every planet in its place, knowing what it would take to sustain life on earth. In love, He sent us His perfect son Jesus Christ, knowing what it would take to give us life eternally. God knows exactly what you’re going through, and He’s with you. Let Him—
lead you through this moment.
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today’s Takeaways
“Don’t be discouraged. God is with you every step you take.” Joshua 1:9
living in the moment is freeing.
Live today to the fullest.