Live in your right now!

This morning I literally have a “right now” word for you! It’s probably not exactly what you’re thinking but it’s what the Lord encouraged me to share with you. As I was praying, He said to me, “Tell them how to live in their right now.” I had to pause because I wasn’t sure I knew how to do that. How do I tell you when my right now isn’t exactly where I pictured my life being? God’s response was, “Exactly. Tell them how to live in their right now.” I know that some of you are in the best part of your life and you are pushing forward in what God has told you to do. I also know that some of you are facing major challenges in your family, your job, and your ministry. Some of you are looking at your life and don’t recognize it at all. I want to encourage you today to keep living, keep dreaming, keep pushing in your right now, no matter where that is. So here goes…

The definition of right now is at the present time. It’s where you are currently, what you face and what you are overcoming. It’s the place that you can’t necessarily change but it’s where God has you. As hard as it is, it’s a necessary place. It’s where God is perfecting you and challenging you. It’s where He is stripping you and building you back up. It’s where He is stretching you and focusing you. It’s uncomfortable and tight but it’s the place that you will take off from. It’s the place that you didn’t choose but you understand. It’s your right now. God wants you to live in this place instead of fighting so hard against it. He wants you to see what you’re supposed to learn from it instead of allowing it to frustrate you. He wants you to pray more and complain less. He wants you to listen and obey instead of running ahead and doing. You see, there’s a lot that’s happening in your right now. So live in it. Embrace it. Grow in it.

You see, it’s really all about perspective. How are you looking at your right now? Paul gives some key advice in how to do that in Philippians 4. In case you haven’t figured it out, I love Paul! He was real and he kept Jesus at the forefront and let Him lead the way in how he saw things. I believe this portion of scripture will encourage you in how to live in your right now. Paul said,

 “Celebrate God all day, every day. I mean, revel in him! Make it as clear as you can to all you meet that you’re on their side, working with them and not against them. Help them see that the Master is about to arrive. He could show up any minute! Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.  Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies.” (Phil 4: 4-9, MSG)

Do you see what Paul was saying? If you make your right now about who God is instead of where you are, you will reap great rewards. He says further down in the chapter that he “can do all things through Christ who strengthens [him]. (Phil 4: 13) You see that verse is not just a way to motivate you to achieve goals, it’s a reminder that no matter what you face, you can handle it through Christ’s strength. You can handle the unemployment. You can handle the marital issues. You can handle the financial problems. You can do it all through Christ that gives you strength. So today, I encourage you to live right where you are. Worship, dance, sing right where you are. Learn, grow, and build right where you are. God will meet you there. As a matter of fact, He’s ahead of you! He knows where you are and the outcomes that He wants to see. Please don’t miss the lesson because you’re looking at the problem! Instead, go ahead and LIVE in your right now!

Amen…