Living In The Now: What Are You Waiting For?

Living in the now. Is it feeling harder than ever before? Do you feel kind of alone when you try to have conversations about anything truly relevant? Sometimes it can seem like many of our friends and family aren’t on the same page. You start wondering, “Is anyone else paying attention to what’s happening in our current culture?” Are you wondering what the outcomes mean for our kids and grandkids?

As a Gen Xer, we seem to be the forgotten group. The silent minority who continues to keep silent, assuming things will somehow change. But we need to start living in the now. What are you waiting for?

If you can relate to what I’m saying, keep reading. As we continue to grow our faith, I want to explore what God expects us to do. The reality is that things aren’t going to get better. But, WE can do better to represent our generation and lead the generations to come. I’ve been thinking a lot lately along this theme. If Jesus Was Me, what would he do?

It’s a little different than asking yourself, “What would Jesus do?”

What Are We Waiting For?

So, I was getting ready to say “I’m a typical Gen X mom and grandma,”but then I realized, maybe I’m not! Here’s why.

Many are simply burying their heads in the sand. We are troubled by the things we are seeing on college campuses, churches, and definitely in schools. Troubled, but not willing to get involved. Our kids are out of school. So we go about our days ignoring the news and reassuring ourselves it will get better.

Here’s my perspective. We are watching the world basically fall apart in front of us. I’m very concerned for my kids and grandkids. Our country is in a place it has never been. How does this current culture affect the future, our faith, and our freedoms? What can we do to change the trajectory? And if we can’t, how do we help prepare our families for what’s coming?

What Can We Do?

If you are waiting for things to go back to the way they used to be, you may be waiting a long time. This isn’t a short-term malfunction in our society. The corruption and evil we are witnessing are building over time. They have been around…well…forever! We are in a “no turning back” era in our country. That doesn’t mean we are defeated or that we lose hope. God is always on the move and we have no idea what his plans are. However, we are now living in a Post-Christian age.

So what can we do to make an impact? Well, we start big.

WE PRAY A LOT.
All THE TIME.
AN ONGOING CONVERSATION WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT
ASKING HIM TO SHOW YOU THE NEXT THING TO DO.
THAT’S WHERE WE START!

God Needs His People To Live in the Now

Don’t tell yourself there’s nothing you can do to make a difference. God thinks you can make a difference. Are you asking for help, guidance, and wisdom? I love the New Living Translation of Matthew 7:7-8

"Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened."

Look at History

History has shown us over and over again that there is evil and bad things will happen. That shouldn’t stop us from living in the now. If you don’t know much about history, make it a priority to start learning. To understand what is happening now, you need to equip yourself with knowledge from the past. We learn from the mistakes others have made. Learning from history equips us to identify false teachings and prophecy.

I hate to see Christians spending huge amounts of their time and energy listening to others trying to predict when Jesus will come. If you get on YouTube, you are going down a rabbit hole that will confuse you and stress you out. Does it matter when Jesus is coming? We are to always be prepared. God’s Word tells us to just be ready. Listen to what Jesus said in Matthew.

Therefore, stay awake,for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming.  But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into.  Therefore you also must be ready for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. -Matthew 24:42-44

To me, part of “staying awake” is living in the now, the present.

Turn Fear Into Action

Does it scare you to know that things are going to get worse? It actually scares me a lot. But, it also inspires me to do something. Here are a few suggestions to get you started.

• Pray throughout your day, asking the Holy Spirit to show you what he wants you to do. Then, when you feel his nudging, take action. Be expectant!
• Stay very involved in your family’s lives, no matter their age or how far away they may be. Be the influence they need to help them stay strong in this destructive culture.
• Be knowledgeable about what’s happening socially and politically. Don’t get all your information from one source.
• Learn history from reliable sources. I’ve put together a cheat sheet to help you get started.
• Get involved in something outside of your church community. Don’t hide. Shine your light.
• Speak out. Often we are around people who think we should let everyone do their own thing. There are many consequences to this mindset. Ask God for wisdom of when to speak, but listen first.

Speak with Honor and Dignity

Consider it an honor to get to speak God’s truth. Whether it’s to your kids, grandkids, friends, or on the socials. But ask yourself the question. “If Jesus was me, what would he do?” This is a great way to stay in a posture that represents Christ to the best of your ability, through him.

Let’s encourage one another to stay strong, living in the now.

Your are precious in his sight,