Dear Friends,

I recently did a retreat on Spiritual Disciplines.  I discussed how those disciplines keep us in the present moment.  Try to stay in this moment and I can assure you it isn’t as easy as it sounds.  The past or future crash in and take us out of this moment.  In my quiet time this morning the idea of this letter came to my spirit.  If we are to move into this moment we need to take something with us – God!  If we do this then we will not only be able to live fully in this moment, but we will also be able to move confidently into the future.

What is it about God which we bring with us?  Love certainly.  The stories from the Bible or any Holy Book describing God will also be with us.  What about peace?  Now there is a word you can chew on.  Is peace the absence of conflict?  I don’t think so.  The power of peace is the sense of well being which occurs in the midst of conflict, problems or whatever usually upsets us.  Is it any wonder Jesus said, “Peace I bring to you, my peace, but not as the world does.”  Jesus’ kind of peace comes from having lived all those moments in the now when our world was crumbling, yet we knew everything was working for good.  Whatever is happening in our lives now can no longer distract us from the truth – God being present.  How can anything defeat us?  With this kind of peace we can smile.  That is a simple act which defeats any challenge we face.  The next time you are finding life drag you down smile.  Then smile with a friend or even someone you don’t know.  It may feel like you are getting away with something and you are.  You are getting away with no longer being dragged down by the events of life.  You will find yourself being lifted up be a God who is greater than anything, any event or challenge of this life.

Now if you want to take the ultimate step use all of this information as you face the future.  How about a life where there is no need to worry about what is going to happen?  This is called moving confidently into the future.  When the problems of life do raise their heads their power has been diffused.  Illness, money concerns, potential problems fade in the Peace of God.  The world can give us techniques to stay well, but sometimes they don’t work.  If we win the lottery money concerns will grow even greater.  The endless challenges of life will eventually wear us out.  But there is something we can always depend on – God!  Confidence in the future with God not only adds peace to that time, but also to the present moment.  Wow what a God!

Peace,

Gary