The Present

I recently read a book by Dr. Spencer Johnson, MD, entitled The Present. The book is about a story of how an old man taught a young man (a boy at first) that the secret to happiness was to receive a particular present. The present could only be given by one's self, and unless it was embraced, one would live a life of anguish. The long and short of the story was that the "present" is the present. When we live in the past or the future, we are in anguish in the present. We long to leave the one moment that we never can.

Johnson's points are:

1. We need to learn from the past but not live in it.

2. We need to embrace the present. Focus on the task at hand. Don't allow yourself to be distracted.

3. We need to plan for the future. The more we plan for the future the more likely it will be better than the present and the less fear we will have of it.

4. All this must be wrapped up in a purpose for our life.

While the book is not a distinctively Christian book, it is certainly a description of a Christian life. The book has helped me profoundly (which may seem a bit overstated given the simply summary above...read the book). What is your purpose? Are you living in the past or the future? Are you despising the present?

Remember, God brought you to the present. "A man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps." Would you despise the "present" God gave you?