“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” – Matthew 6:33-34 (NIV)
As my 68th birthday rapidly approaches, tomorrow in fact, I’ve been feeling like I will never get caught up. Caught up on the books I didn’t read last year, but wanted to. Caught up on the things I have left undone (I haven’t written on this blog in all too long). Caught up on the people I need to talk to, but haven’t! The list is endless!
When I started feeling that way I began to think, “why is the temptation so great for me to feel that I’m somehow ‘behind’?”
Here were some of the random thoughts that came from me asking myself this question –
I have to catch up to “others” I feel are “ahead” of me.
I have to catch up on all the good things I need to do to consider myself “worthy” of the rewards and benefits I reap.
I have to catch up on my devotional life, my work, my reading, my writing . . . .
It then dawned on me that I may somehow have this perspective on life that I’m in some sort of competitive race. It’s perhaps my pride that shows up to suggest that there are people in my life I’m magically “ahead” of and others I know and admire who are actually “ahead” of me.
I’m not really aware of anyone in my life who would consider being in a “race” with me or against me.
This is a very uncomfortable and desperate way to live life. It was only when I stopped and asked myself this question that began to realize the insanity that was gripping me.
Do I have something to prove to others? Do I have something to prove to myself?
Why the need to feel “caught up”? Will I ever really be “caught up” in any sense of the word?
The answer is “probably not.”
Then the comment Jesus Christ made, recorded in Matthew 6 came to mind. He said, “Don’t worry about tomorrow (catching up, perhaps?), for tomorrow will worry about itself.”
Someone recently commented to me that we really only live in the present. We can’t “fix” or alter the past, we can only learn from it. We actually can’t know or live in the future which hasn’t arrived. We can only live in the present – often where we find the greatest challenge.
I know that I can be much more disciplined in my use of time and in organizing my life around the things which are most important. However, when I feel the stress of trying to “catch up” I’m really oblivious to all the wonderful opportunities for life and growth my Lord and maker has put right around me each day. As a follower of Jesus, life in His eternal Kingdom has already begin and I’ll never be behind or have to “catch up” only to live moment by moment in His Divine Presence.
Perhaps you can relate.
So when you and I feel the urge to “get caught up” maybe its time to take a step back and do a reality check. Is there anyone that really cares but us? Is there anyone keeping score?
If not, it might be better to trust the God of all eternity with the present and seek Him and His Kingdom first.
Lessons for Living 