Focusing on today

I’ve talked with a lot of people who are worried about the future. Some are worried about their jobs and finances. Others are worried about their health. But each one of them looks ahead with doubt and uncertainty, and this means they spend their day anxiously stewing over what may or may not happen.

In Matthew 6, Jesus speaks about worry. He poses a question: “Which of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?” (6:27). Good question. Worrying doesn’t add to our life on earth. If anything, it takes away from it. It paralyzes us and keeps us from seeing God’s great blessings. Yet we still do it. We can’t seem to stop. But God doesn’t ask us to stop. Instead, He redirects our worry. Jesus says, “Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (6:34).

When we find ourselves uncertain about the future, our Lord invites us to focus on today. Focus on what is right in front of you. If you have a job, do it well. If you have a lawn or garden, tend to it. If you have a spouse, love them. If you have children, feed them and take care of them. If you have friends, reach out to them and let them know you care. Focus on these things. God gives us vocations sufficient for today. He calls us to worry about these and let Him worry about tomorrow.

When we focus on the things set before us today, an important thing happens. We begin to see just how blessed we really are. We may not have as much money as we want, or be at the health we desire. But God has given us today. He has given us life and breath. He has given us food, clothing, shelter, family, friends, animals, and all that we have. Focusing on today helps us give thanks to Him for these things.

My invitation to you is this: don’t worry about tomorrow. Focus on today. Our world looks so much to the future that we fail to see the blessings of the present. Give thanks for your blessings and “let everything that has breath praise the LORD.” (Ps. 150:6)