"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!" -Philippians 4:4

As Christ followers, we're supposed to experience a pervasive sense of joy, of life, and above all, of love and the presence of God. However, most of us don't really live in today where God's Kingdom of the Heavens exists.

Many of us are constantly looking back to yesterday. We think about all the things that we missed in the past. We think about how things aren't the way they should have been. We think, "Oh, maybe there was a relationship that, if I'd just done this right or that right, it would have worked out." "There was a job that was perfect, but I lost it." Or, "There was that school I didn't get into. It would have made all the difference."

We also often dwell on the future. We think about how someday this will happen, someday that will happen, and when that happens, I will be a happy person.

Of course, we won't be happy if that's the way we think. That's because the fullness of life and the fullness of the kingdom is not yesterday and it's not tomorrow. It's right now.

Prayer: Dear Lord, when I am dwelling on the past, you are there. When I am anxious about the future, you are there. But when I am living in today, surrounded by your presence, it is then that I feel the fullness of your kingdom on earth. It is then that I rejoice in you! Amen.

Reflection: Do you more often live in the past, the present, or the future? In which of these three do you most clearly feel the peace and presence of God?

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Prayer:

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Reflection:

"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!"
-Philippians 4:4