Are you here right now? Here. Hello? If you are like most tech directors you probably have a hundred other things going on right now as you are trying to read this devotional. Your email is coming in, someone just sent you a text message, you are wondering how many people liked the picture of your new kitty on Instagram, you are formulating a witty response to someone's political post on Facebook.
Are you really present?
Are you present with your family? Are you present with your volunteers? Are you present with the attenders of your church? I'm not talking about physically being there, I am talking about being totally present.
In this day of pocket-sized electronic screens it is very hard to actually be present with people around us. We feel that vibration on our leg and now our concentration has gone from our conversation to wondering if we just got extra chips in Texas Hold'em.
Have you ever noticed how people brag about how busy they are? They wear it like a badge of honor. Maybe you have done this before? Someone asks how you are doing and your response is something like, “I'm good, just so busy.” Or someone wants to get together with you and you respond, “Yeah maybe when things slow down a little.”
We like to brag about our business because it makes us seem important. As a result we are always in a hurry. We eat fast, play fast, work fast, and drive fast. In fact, my wife and I were driving to an event one day and she asked me why I was speeding because I didn't even want to go to the event.
Instead of always being off somewhere in cyberland, what would it be like if we were actually present with those that we are around?
Ephesians 5:16 Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days.
The present is really the only guarantee that you have in life. You have no control over the past and very limited control over the future. But the present is yours for the taking.
Most people are never really engaged with the present. They are looking forward to what is next in their life or they are looking back to the past. As a result they miss what God is trying to do in their lives today! Now! In the present.
They miss blessings from God. They miss time with their family. They miss being able to speak into the lives of others. All because they really aren't there.
Many years ago people started talking about the concept of multitasking. This is the fictional ability to be able to do many things at once. If we are really honest about it, we aren't made to multitask. We were made to do one thing and then move on to the next.
Instead of always trying to be so productive maybe we should focus more on being present. Making the most of every opportunity. Life is made in these small moments of time. Be there. Embrace them. Don't let your life pass you by because you didn't take time to be present.
