Now

Some words get thrown around like confetti in January— “Happy New Year! What’s your New Year’s resolution?”

But what about when it’s not happy? What about when you don’t know which way is up, and what if you can’t see any resolution for issues in your life, much less make a resolution? While some began the new year with fireworks and hope, others look out on the future through the fog of uncertainty. What then?

I’ve found it can still be a joyous year if I allow God to use my trials as fertilizer to grow my soul and find fulfillment in Him. And hey, guess what? Even if I have the best year of my life, there will be some bad days, but I can rest assured when I cast my cares on Jesus—The Creator can handle my bad days.

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? Romans 8:31 (NKJV)

Jesus is with us and already waiting for us down the road to help us through the next crisis we face. He knows the mistakes we will make and is there for us when we fall, to lift us up on our feet again and set us on the right path. We just have to cry out to Him.

Everything in your past is preparation for something in your future. God wastes nothing. Even when you have a setback, God has already prepared your comeback. The God who works all things together for good will leverage every experience, every skill, every mistake, and every bit of knowledge you have acquired. —Mark Batterson, Chase the Lion

I have today. Yesterday is gone. I must sow seed today if I want to bear fruit tomorrow. I have today to know Jesus more, to serve Him and others, to make a difference here and for eternity. The same is true for you.

Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. Matthew 6:34 

But sometimes I let myself be held captive, trapped in the revolving door of regret and condemnation. Round and round, I go, when what I need to do is let it go. That’s what Jesus does when we get our hearts right with Him.

There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. Romans 8:1 (KJV)

Sometimes I needlessly worry about the future and how the current drama is going to work out, instead of giving myself, my circumstances, to Him.

What if I spent less time dwelling on the storm and more time dwelling in the presence of the Storm Stiller?

You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You. Isaiah 26:3 (NKJV)

Jesus said:

Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. John 14:27 

Jesus calls me to Himself—to be a wave walker. “Stop running! Stop flailing!” He says. “Be still for a moment, and I will show you how to walk out of there.”

“Okay. What do you want from me, Jesus?”

“Everything.”

“Everything, Lord? My sin, all my fall shorts, my self-will, my timing, the gifts you have given me? My anxiety and pain, my plans, hopes, and dreams?”

“Yes.”

Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. I Peter 5:7 

“I need you, Lord. Help me. I am sick of complacency. I hate my sin. Forgive me; deliver me. I can’t carry this load called life, so—here! I can’t change others. I can’t even change myself, except by Your grace and power. Have Your way in me. Closer, Lord. I want to know you more. Enlarge my heart. I want to look like You. I am your work in progress, but I want to be your masterpiece.

Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness And rivers in the desert. Isaiah 43:19 

I awoke to a whisper in my heart.

“Now,” He said.

“Lord? Where are we going?”

“Ready?”

“Okay. Set. I believe in You, Lord.”

“Let’s go.”

“Hold my hand, Lord.”

Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” Whenever you turn to the right hand Or whenever you turn to the left. Isaiah 30:21 

Look back at yesterday. It will remind you of where you came from. Have a vision for tomorrow. It will keep you going. But live for today! Do what is set before you to the best of your ability. Live it to the fullest for Him.

Sometimes Jesus only lights a little of the path, but He always lights enough for us to take the next step and follow Him.

Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path. Psalms 119:105 

Editor’s Note: This article was derived from Rachael’s post entitled “Now,” originally published on her website, Tattoo It On Your Heart and also on her Cape Cod Times blog by the same name.