Embracing the Present

EMBRACING THE PRESENT

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“Nevertheless, each person should live as a believer in whatever situation the Lord has assigned to them, just as God has called them. This is the rule I lay down in all the churches.” 1 Corinthians 7:17 (NIV)

Comparison is a silent killer. 

In today’s society of overexposure via the internet and social media it is all too easy to fall into the trap of comparing ourselves with others. Even the popular idiom, “The grass is always greener on the other side” suggests that it is normal for us to take a peek into someone else’s yard to observe what’s there (someone else’s assignments, situations and circumstances) and weigh it against our own. But is it really normal?  Better yet, no matter if it is normal, is it something that we should be doing as believers? Let’s look at this in the light of scripture. 

Be present.

In 1 Corinthians 7:17, we see the apostle Paul giving a rule to “all the churches” (or-to all believers). We find it buried in a section of scripture that is about singleness and marriage, but this “rule” is about so much more than that. Did you know that God has assigned you to specific situations and circumstances in this life? More importantly, did you know that there is a way to “live as a believer” in the midst of them? Let’s take a deeper look at this verse by using the Message translation. It reads, “and don’t be wishing you were someplace else or with someone else. Where you are right now is God’s place for you. Live and obey and love and believe right there.”  The rule that Paul is laying down for “all the churches” or to all believers- is to be present. He is instructing us to live as a believer in every situation- to “live and obey and love and believe” right where we are.   

Comparison is a distracter.

The Bible says, “he who compares himself is not wise” (2 Corinthians 10:12). I cannot tell you how many times I’ve found myself idly scrolling through Instagram or Facebook when discontentment suddenly strikes. Without realizing it I begin to mentally make “if – then” statements. Thoughts like, “If I looked like her then I might not be single” and “If I made as much money as her then I could finally have the things I want.” I have even thought, “If I had her anointing then I would be set for life.” In these instances, comparison quickly turns to envy and often, it happens before my feet even touch the floor. The truth is, comparison and envy are distracters that paralyze our ability to live in our present.

Let it go.

Hebrews 12:1 says “let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.” The time has come to lay comparison aside and to stop “wishing you were someplace else or with someone else.” The time has come to embrace your present assignment and situation with confidence, knowing that if God has brought you to it, He will bring you through it. So, no matter where you find yourself today; no matter what you’re going through, know that God has given you an anointing to be present and to live as a believer should- to live, obey, love, and believe right there!