The Present of the Present

Aging is an interesting experience. The young desire to be old and the old desire to be young. Whether young or old, it seems we focus more on the past or the future instead of the present. Don’t get me wrong - there’s nothing wrong with appreciating the past. As we grow, we tend to have seasons of life when we appreciate the life of our ancestors, immediate and distant. Our great concern is staying in touch with our past.

There’s also nothing wrong with planning for the future and, as Andy Stanley puts it, “visioneering”. Our concern then is achieving our dreams and the vision we have for our lives. When we are preoccupied with what was or what will be, we miss out on what is. There are many surprises in the present - we just need to stop long enough to enjoy the scenery.