C.S. Lewis in typical form, delivers me punishing blow in his essay "Learning in War Time." In the essay (actually a lecture) he's speaking to a group of military graduates; scholars who are battle-ready and understandably apprehensive. He encourages them to find security in the present, rather than in the potential.
"Never, in peace or war, commit your virtue or your happiness to the future. Happy work is best done by the man who takes his long term plans somewhat lightly and works from moment to moment 'as to the Lord.' It is only our daily bread that we are encouraged to ask for. The present is the only time in which any duty can be done or any grace received."
Don't we celebrate those who have embraced the day they're in? Don't we admire those who seem to exist inside every present moment, those who are changing their lives today, not tomorrow?
As usual, I think he's right. I need grace today, because truly, "tomorrow has enough worries of it's own."
4 comments:
God is good!
I just spoke this very truth into Mat.
Thanks, Sean, for being the blessed confirmation from the Lord!!
Not only does tomorrow have enough worries of it's own, not one of us is guaranteed a tomorrow. Somehow we must decide (yes, it is a decision) to live every moment as unto the Lord. It might just be the last gift we can lay at His feet before meeting Him face to face.
Mama G
So true, but how do we remember this???
Psalm 39:4-7
4 "Show me, O LORD, my life's end
and the number of my days;
let me know how fleeting is my life.
5 You have made my days a mere handbreadth;
the span of my years is as nothing before you.
Each man's life is but a breath.
6 Man is a mere phantom as he goes to and fro:
He bustles about, but only in vain;
he heaps up wealth, not knowing who will get it.
7 "But now, Lord, what do I look for?
My hope is in you
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