Learning How To Be Present! By: Hanha Hobson
You ever have a moment when you finally notice something and realize that you've been taking it for granted the whole time? Let me explain. I was taking a Zumba class at the gym and the mirrors were covered because it was National Eating Disorder Awareness week. The gym covered the mirrors because they wanted everyone to focus on exercising and the way our bodies move rather than looking at the mirror to see what we looked like.
Before I dive deeper into this topic, I think it’d be neat to note that God acts in the same way. Think about it! A mirror reflects the good and the bad, the beautiful and the ugly, the perfections and the flaws. We may be mirrors reflecting all of those characteristics, but God covers us because He wants us to see ourselves as something beautiful simply because that’s how He already sees us. I love this dude, man!
But back to the story. Usually when the mirrors aren't covered, I am absolutely killing it in my little imaginary square that is a dance floor. I always look in the mirror because I'll really be feeling myself. (You know you do it too..) But that day, the mirrors were covered and I couldn't look to see if I got the moves right. I couldn't see if I looked sexy or cool, and I couldn't look at other girls to see how they were dancing so I could "out-dance" them. (I get really serious during my Zumba classes, y’all..) You can read more about how to rediscover your worth here, or where to find your beauty here.
But that day, I couldn't do anything but focus on the way I was breathing, and the way I moved to the beat. It was absolutely amazing, and I remember tearing up as I danced to the music because I was so thankful to be blessed with the ability to move my body. It was a small moment where I was thankful to be alive, dance around, and have fun. Honestly, a blessing that many of us probably take for granted when we really take time to think about it.
And I say all of that because there’s a lesson we can learn from this.
Be present. Fully present.
People always reference Jeremiah 29:11 to talk about the future, but have you ever stopped to think about that verse within the context of the past? The verse says, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
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So that means that 3 months ago, the hope and future God was referring to is exactly where you are now. You are walking in your prosperity, and it’s only going to get better. But as a people, we become so easily worried about our surroundings, about what people think about us, about whether or not we’re doing the right thing.
We allow worry to drive our thoughts and we allow our lack of control to become an idol in our lives. I talk more about this here, but I’m all about practicality, so let’s talk about a practice we can apply to our lives to overcome this.
When Jesus prayed the Lord’s prayer and taught His disciples how to pray, he asked God to give Him His daily bread. But then later on, He told his disciples that He was the bread of life and that anyone who comes to Him will never be hungry (John 6:35).
If we take time to reflect on this concept, there are so many stories in the Bible that talk about this. For example, the children of Israel received new manna every morning. In fact, God told them to throw out any leftovers they had each night, and if they kept any, then it would spoil. Or what about Elijah? He had to depend on the birds to provide him with food each and every day.
In the same way, lean on Matthew 6:34 where it says, “Do not worry about tomorrow because tomorrow has enough worries of its own.”
Stop worrying about whether you have friends or good people in your life when you’re facing some of life’s greatest challenges. Stop worrying about whether or not you are motivated, or if you have passion. You do not have confusion because you have peace. You are enough and worth more than the world’s most precious diamonds and pearls. You won’t always struggle with your finances, and you will have that child that you’ve been waiting on.
You shouldn’t think about any of those things unless they are affecting your today. So when you wake up each morning, ask yourself: What is my daily bread? Or what is the one thing that I can do just today that will be pleasing to God?
If that’s school, then focus on school. If that’s work, then work hard. If you’re a stay-at-home mom, then focus on your child and the needs he or she has for the next 24 hours. Seek Jesus first, because then will everything else be added unto you (Matthew 6:33). It’s time we put Him back on the throne and remove ourselves from it.
Focus on that. Focus on today. Be thankful for where you are in the present moment and what God is providing in your life. Let grace rule over you because His is sufficient.
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Loved reading this post? Let me know what you think by stopping by my page on Instagram, and tell me how you plan to be more present! I would love to get to know you and hear your thoughts!
Hanha is the writer behind Transparency Blog, and she is superpassionate about encouraging others and sharing the love of Christ. She grad from the University of National Champions—Go Heels!—and she is currently pursuing plans to become a physician in the near future. A few fun facts? She’s addicted to Grey’s Anatomy, has a special place in her heart for tacos, and podcasts are her present obsession. In her spare time, she daydreams about places she can travel and loves connecting with friends on Instagram. Come say hi!
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