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"All our steps are ordered by the Lord; how then can we understand our own ways?" - Proverbs 20:24

What are we called to do with the short amount of time we have here on earth? Honestly, are we to live in this perpetual cycle of ups and downs, building some self-fulfilling legacy that in 1 year, 10 years, 100 years is dead anyway? The man who invented some of our most-common household items, what was his name again? We look and glorify the people of the present as though they are what we would like, yet, we fail to see that the focus and adherence to the present makes us die in the moment.

"Blessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding"- Proverbs 3:13

 Looking to the future is deemed "unhealthy" in the world of psychology. We are called to be "mindful" of the here and now, yet, we fail to see what mindfulness is anyway. We fail to see that when we are being "present" what we are doing oftentimes is succumbing to the selfish ways of the physical world. Think about it. We are not clearing our minds and being, we are instead doing something with the intention to satisfy or calm the self, when in the end, the stressor or underlying reason we need to be mindful, still exists. 

Look at what drives stress. There is some belief that we are holding on to that is left unsettled. The self believes that the gym, eating "right," getting that degree, posting on social media, will enhance our stake in life, yet we missed the mark by light years in doing so. The fact that some people want to accomplish the end result is simply because that superficial answer is what they were made to believe will fulfill them. You can see how ridiculous it sounds to think of a job, an exercise plan, a food, will actually fulfill our eternal souls right? I mean, eternal also exists in the present and on to forever, and completing that gym workout, eating those foods, winning that trophy, or sacrificing anything real to get the promotion at work does not contribute to the eternal self, but resides in the present.

This isn't about time as it is about looking to the what we expect from what we do now. When we call ourselves Christian and we submit to God, do we fail to actually submit? Are we casual in nature like we are about our New Year's goals? Do we claim with our wills that we will obey, only to fall short, like everything else? Is God's plan for your life and your submission to it simply another lofty diet plan? If so, someone can probably sell you a scripture reading for a week and you'd probably buy it, justify your sacrifice as noble, and that you are a good person.

Quite the opposite actually. To see one's self as wretched flesh and bones desiring the most superficial and monetary gain is what we need to accept. The fact that we deny this and are told to deny just how putrid we are tells us again, how far off the mark we are. Again, for those who fail to believe God is love and made everything, it's another piece of ammo for the proverbial gun pointed at themselves. Yes, we are inadequate as a standalone and need God to be fulfilled. We need to submit our constant selfish selves to God and accept the very fact that our wills are not capable of such a thing.

"To the person who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness, but to the sinner he gives the task of gathering and storing up wealth to hand it over to the one who pleases God. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind."- Ecclesiastes 2:26

He, God, calls us, gives us, and provides everything for us. In this, for anyone who even casually claims to believe, must understand that the grass grows, the food for the sparrows is provided, the dog's digestive system works, ants crawl, all because He willed it. We are not to think that we know any more than Him. Therefore we are to understand what is given and this is not found in our willing a mindfulness exercise to, "clear" the mind, or to post some social status update where we receive some existential followers or proof that we are deep people.

God knows our heart and in our heart, if we listen to ourselves, I think we can see how defiant we are to faith. We are instructed to submit, do the work of the father, be a slave for God and in the end the rewards will be more than we could ever imagine with our worldly minds. To accept this truth means giving up everything here, it means submitting to the fact that we are inadequate, we are creatures of putrid existence, yet, we are also loved, saved, and taken care of. It is this faith we fail to abide in and instead continue on to demand that we know best.

Be in the moment, sure, ease distraction. However, if you ask God for peace, be ready to give up what he demands from you. Peace does not mean we get what we want, or that we avoid pain, in the end, his plan is an eternal one and yet we continue to keep our eyes focused on the present.

"Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you. The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding."- Proverbs 4:6-7.