"'Do you believe in life after death?' What can one say as a Christian? Of course I do. I believe that Jesus died and rose for us and in him we have eternal life. But I felt there was a danger of putting off to some future date what should be ours now- life, and life in all its fullness. Too many sad folks project their own desires to a future world when they should be living by faith in this world. I believe in life after death but I also believe in life before death. We need to make sure we are living now." Adam, The Road of Life, 122.
If we do not live out the gospel, we are always in danger of projecting true life somewhere else other than to our current experience. Some project true life back "in the day" when they felt alive and free. They often forget that at the time they were likely projecting forward looking forward to true life in the future!
Others, particularly those who lived or are living through times of struggle, project into the future true life. My family on my dad's side often lived this way. They projected into heaven all of their desires for life, and they complained about their physical ailments and difficulties in the present. For these good hearted folks, the present was something to be endured and not really enjoyed. They are models for a brand of Christian spirituality that many live.
The gospel compels us to live in the present. God is with us right here and now. His presence is around us, in us, and near us. We can meet with Him in repentance and faith. He promises us life right now- at work, at home, at play, or in difficulty. A minute of His touch can make even the most difficult tasks enjoyable. So why do we project His presence backward or forward in time when His life changing power is here and now?
I know this is hard to live out. Here is an example from our life. Currently, we are trying to toilet train a two year old. How do we view this task? With every puddle, do we only look forward to the future? I am afraid so! We have this intense longing for the future. To a time of no more diapers, no more grossly stinky diapers! We have to consciously enjoy the present by asking for God's presence in the now. We need to talk with Him, thank Him for every success, and ask for His love to be with all in the process.
All of this does not diminish our longing for the future. What it does is place God's presence squarely in the present. This is where He belongs, but in my fallen state I often don't live that way. Another opportunity to walk in repentance and faith!
May the Lord dwell in your present this day. Also may my son become potty trained really quickly!
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