The Present

August 27, 2010 by Ylena Parks, MA · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Christianity, Life 

Have you ever noticed how difficult it is to stay in the present and set your eyes upon Jesus?  Much of our time is spent looking behind at our past – “I wish I would have done …”, “I should have said …”, “What was I thinking…?” – or ahead to the future – “I wonder if he’s going to …”, “I wonder if I should plan …”, “What should I do if …?” instead of being present. We mediate on what was or what will be instead of focusing on what is now.  As a therapist I believe that much can be learned by examining the past and looking for patterns that resulted in our present condition.  I also believe in planning for the future in regards to our actions and behaviors in response to stressors.  However, the real work, that which is transformational and gets to the heart of the issue, is done in the present with Jesus as our guide.

Jesus is eternal which means be does not live in the past nor does He live in the future, He lives in both and, perhaps more importantly, He lives in the present – the here and now of our lives.  Scripture tells us that He is with us (Psalm 73:23, Colossians 2:5, Matthew 28:20) – not simply that He was with us or that He will be with us in the future.  He is with us now, at this present moment.  So if you are not in the present but are living in the past or looking to the future, you are missing the prime opportunity of being present with Jesus and sharing with Him where you are at during this moment.  What are you thinking?  What are you feeling?  What are you doing?  He is interested.  And while He knows your heart, He still is eager for you to share it with Him.  By doing so you have asked Him to enter into your life with you; to join you in your daily struggles.

We are a culmination of our life experiences so dealing with the present is in all actuality dealing with the past since you, presently, are coping with the results of past experiences.  And by being in the present you are, in fact, planning for the future since the work He is doing in your heart right now will shape the future that lies ahead. Being in the present is challenging and sometimes scary because it can mean focusing on the painful, sad and hurtful things that lie before us.  But do not fear (Psalm 27:1), for Jesus is with you and He wishes to heal you (Hebrews 4:15, Jeremiah 29:11, Romans 8:28).  While what you’re facing in the present may seem and feel monumental, nothing is too big or too bad for Jesus (Luke 1:37).  So cradle yourself in the comfort of His arms and let His peace, which passes all understanding (Philippians 4:7), wash over you in this present moment.  Let the healing begin now.

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  • Meet Ylena

    Ylena Parks, a native Californian, is married to a godly man and has two beautiful step-children. She has a Master's in Community/Clinical Counseling from Eastern University and presently works as an MFT Intern at OC Chrisitan Counseling in Garden Grove, CA.

    Ylena came to Christ at Calvary Chapel-Monterey Bay in 2001. It is through Christ's work in her that she conquered a 10-year battle with Anorexia, a disorder which consumed her 20s and led her along a path of self-destruction ... and eventually into the arms of Christ.

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