When thinking about why Christians should work on being present in the now, 2 Timothy 1:7 is a good place to start. Here it is said: 

For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. (ESV)

Fear often takes the form of worry, and it’s common for people to worry about both the past and the future. However, if we content ourselves with being present in the now, we gain a greater measure of power over our circumstances and love of both God and His creation. But what else does being in the present allow Christians to do? There are many answers to this question, and these answers also act as reasons to work on being present in the now. 

1. We can do something about the present.

The past has already occurred, and the future has yet to occur. Both are thus out of our direct control. Worrying about them is simply giving in to fear and powerlessness. Paying attention to what’s happening in the present gives us a chance to actually do something, and this fact allows us to take a greater measure of power over our lives and emulate Jesus by helping others. Not living in the moment can mean placing ourselves in the position of replacing faith with good intentions.

2. Being present is an opportunity to give thanks.

You’ve likely been told at some point in your life that you need to “stop and smell the roses.” The goal of doing so is to uncover a spirit of gratitude for things like your health and the beauty of the world around you. However, being present in this way also presents a greater opportunity for Christians. It’s a chance to recognize all the gifts that God gives us, and it offers us the opportunity to give thanks to God for these many gifts, too. 

3. We are trusting in God.

Fear and worry are very natural human reactions, and they should definitely be acknowledged as normal and healthy. What they should not be is cause for despair. We should also recognize that when we give in to fear or worry, we aren’t placing very much trust in God. Instead, Christians can and should view instances of feeling fear or worry as a chance to submit to God. Such acts of submission acknowledge that we trust in God, which helps us truly feel that:

The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:7 ESV)

Centerpoint Church is ready to walk with you on your faith journey

At Centerpoint, our community believes in purpose and passion, and we would love to walk with you on your journey in finding yours. We understand how it feels to struggle to find a place to belong, which is why we strive to welcome people of all types and backgrounds into our community. 

Do you want to grow in your faith, or are you simply curious about who this Jesus guy is? You’re not alone. We encourage you to listen to our series online and welcome you to come to one of our Sunday morning services in Valrico, Florida.