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Oct 18, 2022 18:30pm

Enjoy the Moment

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It’s something I struggle with often. If I’m guessing, you probably do, too. Especially if you are anything like me.

Enjoying the moment.

I’m a planner, organizer, and there are always scenarios running through my head about how we can do things better. Because of this, I’ve trained my brain to think two steps ahead. While I’m working on one project, I’m actually thinking about another and what needs to be done with it. Schedules and yearly calendars are important to me because I like to see the whole picture, not just one day at a time.

But sometimes, that’s what really gets me.

I miss out on the joy of the moment. Just the other day, I was walking my dogs in the evening and I could smell something sweet. I slowed our pace a bit and took in a deep, almost hurtful, breath to really gather in the smell. And then, I did it again. I can’t accurately describe to you exactly what I smelled, but it was sweet and earthy and warm and wonderful. At that moment, all thoughts of the emails I needed to send were gone. Vanished were the plans for the upcoming VBS, supplies to get for the church picnic, students to reach out to with reminders for our virtual program and packets to put together for puppies.

Closing my eyes, I breathed in deeply, and for just a minute, I lived in the moment.

And then, my dog yanked on the leash, snapping me back to reality and nearly pulling my arm off as he tried to chase a squirrel.

“And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him. Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias. While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him. And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid. And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid. And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only.” (Matthew 17:1-8)

We’ve already covered part of these verses in yesterday’s study. But I want us to see the whole incredible and awesome moment here.

Jesus has taken a few of His disciples with him up the mountain. These men would be witnesses to something so spectacular that they would be told not to share it with anyone until after His resurrection.

They saw Jesus in His true glory, shining brighter than the sun! And standing with Him were Moses and Elijah, two of the greatest prophets in the Old Testament. Can you imagine? What if you were there in that moment? What if you saw this happening? What would you do?

We might say that we would fall on our knees and worship the Lord. We might say that we would be so awestruck that we can’t even speak. Or perhaps, we would just stare, breathe in deeply, and take in every detail of the moment.

But Peter… oh how I can relate to this man so much! Immediately, he is thinking of what they should do next. “Let us build a tabernacle for you Jesus and for Moses and Elijah! Let us build something to remember this by.”

While his intentions were good, God Almighty had a better plan.

As He had appeared to Moses before, God shows up in a cloud, one that overshadowed them, and said “Listen”.

He reminded Peter to live in the moment. Stop planning ahead. Stop thinking of new projects to do and slow down. Take in this incredible moment and listen.

Boy is the Lord talking to me today! Is He talking to you? Did that just make you hang your head in shame, too? It’s good to have plans and be prepared, but don’t let it take the focus of the important things going on right in front of you.

Put down the phone. Close your laptop. Be present in the life you have been given. Take joy today in the time the Lord has blessed you with!

Stop and enjoy the moment.