I did something for the first time this morning I hope to make into somewhat of a routine...I got my tail out of bed at 5:30 a.m. (just because I couldn't take the trash out the night before because of a massive lightening storm) and after taking the trash out sat down and had a time of study. That isn't even the best part. For one reason I was motivated this morning, so I took my bike and rode along the Susquehanna River.
My ride took me to a local park along the river so I parked and enjoyed the view. Then I had the thought, 'why not ride down to the river's edge'...so I did. It was majestic. It was like God's finger drew a line where the river lies. My attention was drawn to the reflections in the river. I noticed the smaller mountain ranges closer to me had a smaller reflection in the water while the larger ranges in the distance made a much greater reflection in the water.
Reflection got me thinking about...reflection.
Why is it that so often we look at the big things far off and reflect greatly on what could be while we look at the smaller ranges right in front of us, our everyday occurances, with little contemplation? Why is so much time spent pondering the future and not the present?
One reason, I believe, is that the future presupposes the issues of today are no more, whatever they may be. The future is hopeful because it is not the reality of now. I cannot say I look to the day or week and what is now with as much thought as to the future and what may come. I find myself longing for what I don't have and neglecting what I do. I put my mental energies into what isn't a reality and leave what is reality to receive my leftover attention...my leftover hope.
So what happens if we reverse it, if we do what James says in his book and we don't make future plans but we live in our current reality? What happens when we bring our hope to the reality of now and not the fiction of what may be future? I think we're changed. I think the people around us are changed. I think there's a new energy that's put forth into the present because we're not so consumed by the future. I'm experiencing it as I live today with intention and purpose...placing my energies to what is while leaving tomorrow on the shelf. We'll pick that one up later...
