It’s not just modern psychology or Zen mindfulness practices that invite us into being present. Throughout Scripture, we are invited to live fully into today (not worrying about tomorrow, or ruminating on the things that have passed), as a way of trust. We are invited to let go of the control we think we have by worrying about things, and let God hold the past and the future. *Today* is where we live in trust. Jesus invites us to pray for our “daily bread” – exactly what we need to sustain us *today.* And that prayer brings up connections with the season Israel spent in the wilderness, reliant on the bread from heaven (manna) for their sustenance. Some worriers didn’t take God at his word that there would be enough for each day, so they tried to collect more - in order to have a backup stash for the next day “just in case” God didn’t come through that next day, and give them what they needed. Of course, we know what happened – the extra manna turned rotten and wormy, inedible, unnourishing. The provision they thought to gather for themselves by worrying about more than today was useless – just like we know our “worrying about tomorrow” is, if we really face up to it. But worrying makes us *feel* like we have some kind of control, hedges our bets in case God doesn’t come through this time. Consider: in what ways are you living in the future moments you have no actual access to, and missing the present moment that requires trust that God is holding you (and the future)? What might it look like to choose to be in the present moment, in those places? What trust would it require?

Posted by Jamie Bonilla at 2021-07-27 15:30:08 UTC