The Sacrament of the Present Moment
As you go through the daily grind of life, do you ever feel like you’re missing out? Do you scroll through social media and envy those who post on their beach vacations, weekend getaways, or other exotic trips? I know I do.
Every generation seems to have their catchphrases that make it seem like the primary value in life is found in the number of great adventures we can check off our bucket list and that ordinary, everyday life is somewhat pointless. In the 80’s, it was “Carpe Diem” (ala Dead Poets’ Society). Several years ago, it became YOLO (you only live once). More recently, it’s “He/she is living their best life”.
While I love a vacation as much as the next guy, I frequently fall into the trap of being preoccupied with looking ahead. As a result, I often fail to see the beauty of life right in front of me. I go to work and am so intent on keeping my schedule that I don’t have that deep and interesting conversation with my patients or coworkers. When I get home, I’m so busy completing my paperwork or other tasks that I neglect to give my full attention when I talk with my wife or kids about their days. Each morning when I read the daily mass readings, I skim through them instead of taking the time to converse with God and learn what He may be trying to say to me that day. Why do I rush through everything? Because I’m constantly looking forward to the end of the day, or the weekend, or my next vacation, or even retirement thinking that I will finally get to enjoy myself. I want to be able to check off all those things on my “to do” list so that I can finally relax. As a result, my mind is usually fixated on that list instead of focused on where I’m at right now.
In Jean-Pierre de Causade’s book The Sacrament of the Present Moment, he hits on this very problem. His message is simple---we are called to live in the present moment instead of dwelling on the past or looking forward to the future. God’s will for our lives is not out there somewhere waiting to be found. It’s right here, right now, wherever you are at. When Jesus said, “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly” (Jn 10:10), he wasn’t talking about those people who could afford fancy vacations to exotic places. He meant it for everyone because he knew that the abundant life is found not in possessions or experiences but rather in living out God’s will. This is the true adventure. This is where joy and contentment are to be found.
So how do I do this? Is it wrong to make plans? Of course, it’s not wrong to make plans. But it’s also important to be flexible and allow God to work through me. What I have planned for today may not be what God has planned for me. So, I try to be open to His will. Each day, I try to start with a short prayer like, “Lord, help me to be open to your will right now and throughout the day.” I come back to this prayer time and time again throughout the day. When I’m in conversation with someone especially if it’s a difficult topic, I may say a silent prayer like, “Holy Spirit, give me the words that you want me to say.” Am I perfect at it? No, in fact, I’m pretty terrible at it. I get caught up so easily in tasks throughout the day. I’m a work in progress. But I also know that God is much more patient with me than I am with myself. Like any loving parent, He is incredibly happy that I am trying even if I am generally unsuccessful.
The funny thing is that the more I am open to God’s will throughout the day, the more enjoyable my day becomes. Instead of always looking ahead, I’m beginning to find great fulfillment in the unexpected journeys (sorry, had to get that Tolkien reference in there) that God has planned for me in the ordinary, previously unexciting days. And that I think is truly the secret to living my best life.