Which mental time zone are you living in? Some people live in the past, others in the future or the present.

Here’s the secret, change happens in the present. The results of those changes happen in the future, but because of what you do in the present.

The trick is to learn from the past, plan for the future, and be present today.

Living In The Past

Time always moves forward yet, sometimes we don't move with it. We may want to relive pleasant memories of when we were younger, happier, or at the top of our game. The past may also capture us through unhealed wounds that continue to hurt. Lack of forgiveness, offered or received, traps us in a mental time zone of the past. Christ's redemptive work frees us from the past's hold.

Living In The Present

It is always the present, but few live here. In the present, we're faced with my life as it is, which often doesn't measure up to what we want it to be. The present, however, is the only time zone where we can respond to God's leading and do things differently. Many divine opportunities fly by because we aren’t present for them.

Living In The Future

Visiting the future to explore our dreams, hopes, ideas, vision and calling is necessary to orient us to the present. However, living in the future can distract from the present. Our lack of results can be because we refuse to live in, or at least occasionally visit, the present.

When Are You living?

Paul models a balanced approach to time in Philippians 3. Notice how he acknowledges the past, fixes his eyes on the future prize, yet presses on in the present:

“Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: forgetting what is behind (past) and straining towards what is ahead (future), I press on (present) towards the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenwards in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:12‬-‭14‬).

Learn from the past, plan for the future, and be present today. Results happen because of what we do in the present.

This week, watch for which mental time zone are you most tempted to live in. How is God calling you to be present today?

Grace & Peace,

Keith Webb