Photo Credit: The Brit/Creative Commons
I think we’ve all heard the witty (albeit somewhat tired) phrase “Just seize the moment!”
Meant to be an encouragement, it seemed for a while everyone was saying it. Let me just add my two cents. Some folks may roll their eyes when they hear that expression, as if it’s yet another empty platitude or well-meaning directive, but those words really do imply action. Empowerment. Opportunity.
“Seizing the moment” means:
Going for it when we’re afraid.
Steeling ourselves against naysayers.
Utilizing our God-given talents.
Pursuing a dream we’ve placed on hold.
Realizing our potential and acting upon it.
Trusting God to be in the moment with us.
I think my biggest epiphanies have come during those times in which I allowed God to take total control of my life. In other words, it was during those God-ordained, goosebump appointments I knew the Holy Spirit was working and that God had created that point in time just for me. I better indeed seize the moment!
In my youth, I sometimes squandered those moments. I didn’t have the spiritual maturity yet to recognize them for what they were.
Now I know that once we “seize the moment” we must give ourselves permission to just be in the moment.
And I’ve learned that not all moments are fun, easy, or comfortable.
In fact, being in the moment is sometimes so difficult that we’d rather run and hide.
Believe me, I have no desire to repeat the five long years we lived in and out of hospitals with one of our children.
A loved one would rather it be her than her child who is legally blind.
A friend never expected to experience divorce and would rather not re-live the experience ever again.
Yet another once struggled with panic attacks so crippling, she thought “black” was the world’s natural color.
Being in the moment sometimes means we roll with the punches. We endure. We survive. We pray. We hope. We recognize that life at that moment may be awful, but it won’t always be so because God’s promised us a brighter, bigger, fuller future. (Jeremiah 29:11)
So…to “seize the moment,” we first have to be.
Be available to God’s call.
Be in tune to His life-lesson.
Be still.
Stripped.
Broken.
Cleansed.
Redeemed.
Loved.
Moved.
Be cognizant of the metamorphosis taking place within us.
And recognize the miracle at hand.
******
Have you ever had a time where it was difficult to be in the moment?
What about a moment that brought you great joy? Were you able to fully appreciate it?
What did you learn from those experiences?
Photo Credit: The Brit/Creative Commons
Blessings Always,
Comments 11
So inspiring, Cindy! I, too, am learning as I mature to pay attention to the moment. To “be” in them. I found great joy in the moments after my children “arrived”–The 7 hours leading up to officially meeting them, not so much. lol
I was thinking about them last night. Trying to conjure up a few of their milestone moments. Amazing how you never think you’ll forget, and yet…you do.
Author
Jess, I wish I knew 20 years ago what I understand now. Some of our “moments” aren’t always sunshine and roses, but those are the times I’ve grown the most. And I’ve learned, too, to savor the joy-filled moments and revel in them while they last.
What better memories than the “milestones” of our children!
Such wisdom, thank you. I have been thinking about that lately. One of the surprising benefits of growing in age, is all that you gather and the way your heart turns in new ways to be open to God.
Author
Lisa, so true! I think when heartache comes, naturally, we’d rather not “be in the moment,” but I’ve found that’s when I’m more in tune to God and his leading. Thanks so much for visiting!
I would say the day my daughter got married was a moment of sheer joy. I remember being in the moment and feeling the love and joy. Family and friends had come from all over…it was so wonderful. I appreciated the gift of joy God given to me, because this was the kind of joy you feel few and far between in you life. A taste of His sweet bliss in heaven.
Sorry about the typos…my brain is thinking faster than I can type.
joy God *had given
between in *your life
Author
Loree, what a special day that must have been for you! I can tell by your description that it’s a beautiful memory.
It’s so important to revel in life’s joys. I’ve learned to be more appreciative of the finer moments and not take them for granted. (And we don’t worry about typos here. We’re just friends chatting over cyber Starbucks, hanging out. …Excuse me as I wipe some telltale cookie crumbs from my lips.) 😉
… recognize the miracle at hand …
Love that phrase.
I just started taking yoga — you may have seen the recent photo evidence of that, Cynthia — and one of the instructors talked about “staying in the posture.” By that she meant, stay in the pose, even if it was uncomfortable. Not painful, but uncomfortable.
Sometimes, emotionally and spiritually we have to “stay in the posture” when life is excruciatingly painful. What posture is that? One of trusting God … no matter what.
Author
Beth, yes, I did see the colorful photos of your yoga workout. 😉 I like your instructor’s advice and how it applies to life. So true!
I’ve started using that phrase, “Be in the moment,”to step away from technology for a while and truly be present with the real people in my life.
Author
Patti, great point! While I love my friendships with my “online family,” my immediate family and their needs will always come first. Stepping away from technology for awhile allows us to regroup and prioritze what’s truly important.