Therefore, to him that knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin. – James 4:17

Sin has one purpose, to separate you and me from God. As an immature Christian, I spent years indulging in my favorite sins. I would ask for forgiveness and just hope to God that if I drew my last breath, I would get to go to Heaven. My afterlife was pretty much all I cared about. Years later, I realized that I should have been focused on this life. That is the danger with deception, when you are deceived you are completely unaware of it.

Right now, the biggest sin in my life is not living moment by moment. If I had heard someone say that to me 10 years ago, I would have thought, “there is no way that is a big deal to God.” I would not have been able to imagine the consequences of not living moment by moment. However, this morning it has become very clear to me.

Just like yours, my life can quickly become overwhelming. I am a husband to my wife, a dad to my two children, a teacher at the alternative school, and a preacher at Lifeline Community Church. If I think collectively of all they require for success, I get so quickly overwhelmed, almost to the point of despair. Just before typing this WMD, I have laid all of this down at the foot of the cross. I feel so light again.

Jesus flat out tells us that His burden is light (Matthew 11:30). So, if you and I are overwhelmed, it definitely didn’t come from Him. The truth is, I overwhelm myself by thinking of things way too far in advance. When I do this, there is one thing that I am not thinking about, and that is walking with God and enjoying His Presence. Knowing Him and feeling Him throughout the day is the greatest joy of my life. But, as soon as I start thinking about when this week I’m going to date my wife, spend time with my kids, write my next WMD, write my next sermon, meet with so and so . . . I cease to enjoy Him and pick up a heavy burden that I was never meant to carry.

I know to live moment by moment. When I don’t, I sin. I know I sin because I go way too long completely unaware of God and His Presence. This particular sin separates me from Him.

So, this morning I renew afresh my commitment to live day-by-day, hour-by-hour, minute-by-minute, and moment-by-moment. All I have to do is enjoy finishing up this WMD, then enjoy getting ready for work, then enjoy getting the kids ready, then enjoy my drive to work, and then enjoy my job (some days are easier than others). Sometimes in thinking too far ahead and picking up some worry along the way, I miss the in-between moments where God so often reveals Himself to me.

What could I possibly have going on today, tomorrow, or this week that is worth trading my joy in the Lord?

Absolutely nothing.

Later

Adam