In this article, I want to pass along words of truth expressed recently by one of my high school classmates of 1984, John Spencer.
Richard RayI have been praying for John and his wife, Marci, for a while now, asking God to bring physical healing in their lives. From one of their many visits to the hospital, John shared a “waiting-room lesson” I pray will bring comfort to those who also find themselves in the waiting room of life, looking ahead to tomorrow instead of focusing on the day.
John writes:
“I have been in a waiting room, but I have not been waiting. Being in the present moment, completely in the present moment, is so difficult for me. I am living in a world of microwaves, wi-fi, fast computer processors and instant on-demand everything. Is it any wonder in a culture where delayed gratification is such a foreign concept that waiting drives most of us crazy?
“However, a still, small voice says, ‘Be still and know….’ Waiting becomes only an issue if I am living in the future, for there is no waiting when I am in living in the present. When I practice the sacredness of the present moment, I am at peace, and I am at rest.
“There is discipline required to live, dwell and abide in the present moment. In fact, I can only know God and experience his presence in the present moment. It is only in the present moment my mind, body and soul are in unison. There is freedom and peace in the present, freedom from the bondage of the past or the tyranny of the future.
“The comparison games of ‘What if? and “If only …” rob us of the joy and peace found in the present moment.
“When I am not living in the past or future, I am able to experience true freedom. In this moment, I have nothing to prove, nothing to hide and nothing to lose. I am free to be who I am in Christ. Time is a master, and those who dwell in the past or future are its slaves. Time has no power or control over me in this present moment.
“Jesus says: ‘Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.’ Jesus wants us to live, dwell and remain in him. He tells me this because I am prone to wander in the past or into the future. However, I must remain where Jesus is to be found, and that is in this very moment.
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“What happens when I choose to be in the moment? My feelings are calm. My mind is clear.”
Psalm 46:10 says, “Be still and know that I am God.” Thanks to John for reminding us when we find ourselves in the waiting rooms of life, if we remain still, God will make himself known to us.
Until next time, remember God has called you to serve, but he has not called you to serve alone. Visit our website, www.bivocational.com, for more information on how the Bivocational/Small Church Association can minister and pray for you.
Richard Ray is executive director of the Bivocational/Small Church Association and director of missions for the Tri-Rivers Baptist Area. You can reach him at [email protected].
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