Fully Present in the Different
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“Do not change yourselves to be like the people of this world but be changed within by a new way of thinking.” Romans 12:2
Oh, the memories that flooded my mind as I attended the county fair in my hometown. As a child, my family attended the fair every day. It was a yearly tradition. Yes, we wandered through all the buildings, watched the shows, but the most important part beside the fair food was visiting with friends and family. It was seeing people and being in the moment that made the fair so special. The focus was to enjoy everything about the week at the fair.
So, when I attended the fair this past week, I was focused on being present and just enjoy the food, the events, and the people I encountered. I found out three of my nieces and nephews were going to be in the chicken scramble. For those who do not know what a chicken scramble is – chickens are released in an arena and little children attempt to catch them. If the child catches one, the chicken goes home with the child. It was pure joy watching three- to six-year-old boys and girls chase chickens. But what brought tears of joy was watching my 4-year-old nephew who is unable to walk, being guided by his mom with his legs kicking in the air and catching chicken after chicken. His face lit up with a huge smile. He was fully present in the moment. It did not matter to him what was going on around him or his lack of ability to walk – he was having the time of his life. His smile afterward when I talked with him was all I needed. My purpose of being at the fair was fulfilled. I experienced what it means to be fully present in the different.
Fully means completely to the furthest extent without reservation or hesitation. Present is to be where your feet are and to focus on the now. Not only are you physically present in the now, but your thoughts are right in front of you without any anxiety or thought of what will happen next. Can you be fully present?
Life has taught me to be fully present. Yes, I make plans and schedule clients and events, but I am learning to enjoy what is in front of me. To slow down and not have to be busy planning the next event or way to live out God’s calling on my life. I have spent most of my ministry trying to find ways of being active for God and how much could I accomplish for God each week. Activity felt like I was fulfilling what God wanted for me.
Now in this season of life, I pray each day for God’s Spirit to fill me with His power and strength and lead me to what I am to do to glorify God. Some days it is to praise God and rest in the beauty of creation and God’s presence. Some days it is to take the hand of Jesus and walk with someone else on the journey. Some days it is just to be – to be in the feelings and emotions of the journey, to be present and take the next step, to just be.
My life has been different the past seven years. I am learning to lean more on Jesus on not be concerned with how other people judge my decisions. Some of my decisions I have sought God’s direction and they have been good, and some have been learning and growing experiences. I am letting go of worry and anxiety and living more in the present. I desire to have the joy like my four-year-old nephew, Wyatt. Even in the midst of sorrow and life not turning out like expected, I can be in the moment and find purpose and joy and be thankful.
We are not to conform to the world or to other people’s expectations. Anxiety and worry come from trying to meet the expectations of others. It is living too far into the future and not living in your own present life. Even when life is different and not what we had planned or hoped, we can be fully present with God and find joy and peace and purpose.
