Be Present Today - The Crosswalk Devotional - May 5

Be Present Today
By Whitney Hopler

“Be very careful, then, how you live – not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.” – Ephesians 5:15-17 NIV

I used to be proud of how often I practiced multitasking. It seemed like I was using my time well by doing several tasks simultaneously. But one day, I realized what a mistake I was making by not being fully present in each moment. I tried to carry on two different conversations – one in person and one on the phone – while also trying to visit a museum. Ironically, that museum was at the Royal Observatory Greenwich in England, which keeps our planet’s official time. When the chimes of a grandfather clock startled me, I ended up losing my focus entirely and dropped all of my tasks at once. Overwhelmed by stress, I focused on my breathing to try to calm down.

Then something wonderful happened. As I inhaled and exhaled, gradually my awareness of God’s constant presence increased, and my stress level decreased. Then the peace that only God can give settled within my soul. No longer distracted, I could pay full attention to what was happening. That helped me notice the wonder of God’s presence, and receive God’s peace.

After that experience, I researched multitasking and found it makes people less productive. Multitasking divides our attention, making it harder to focus. The result is missing out on the fullness of what God has for us to experience, learn, and accomplish in each moment. Now I try to savor the moments God gives me rather than squander them. I want to live wisely, making the most of every opportunity to be here now. I don’t want to be foolish, living a distracted life rather than fulfilling God’s purposes for my life. Instead, I want to understand God’s will and embrace each moment. I want to be here now!

Our lives often get busy and stressful. We live in a world full of distractions, and our minds are often pulled in many different directions. We may find ourselves constantly checking our phones or thinking about our to-do lists instead of being fully present now. It’s easy to lose our focus and end up missing the moments God wants us to experience fully. So, it’s important to intentionally “be here now” in our lives whenever we can. Ephesians 5:16 NIV urges us to make the most of every opportunity God gives us. We need to be intentional about our choices. Instead of taking the present moment for granted, we can focus on connecting with God’s presence in it to pursue our purpose.

God tells us in Psalm 46:10 NIV: “Be still, and know that I am God.” First, we must be still - stop rushing, and pay attention. Then, we can know God more. God gives us many opportunities to know him. Every moment that God gives us is worth our attention because it can teach us something that moves us closer to Him. When we live fully in the here and now, we can make the most of every opportunity to live our best lives. Living wisely will lead us closer to God and help us fulfill His good purposes for us.

Intersecting Faith and Life:
As you reflect on the importance of paying attention to the present moment, consider these questions:

Are you fully engaged and present during this devotional time, or are you distracted by something else?
Are you savoring God’s presence with you at this moment, or are you taking it for granted?
What can you do right now to fully experience this moment?
What are you grateful for in this present moment?
How can you make the most of this moment and use it wisely?
What can you learn from this present moment, and how can you apply that to your relationship with God?
If you tend to multitask when you’re busy, what strategies can you use to reduce distractions and stay focused on one task at a time?
What are some ways you can incorporate mindfulness and gratitude into your daily life, so you can savor each moment and use it wisely?

Additional Reading:

Whitney Hopler is the author of the Wake Up to Wonder book and the Wake Up to Wonder blog, which help people thrive through experiencing awe. She leads the communications work at George Mason University’s Center for the Advancement of Well-Being. Whitney has served as a writer, editor, and website developer for leading media organizations, including Crosswalk.com, The Salvation Army USA’s national publications, and Dotdash.com (where she produced a popular channel on angels and miracles). She has also written the young adult novel Dream Factory. Connect with Whitney on X/Twitter and on Facebook.