Let Us Live the Present to the Fullest
Author
Fanny Rodríguez
Summary: We often long for the future, neglect the present, and pursue money, possessions, or desires that cannot bring us fulfillment. True wealth does not consist in having more, but in needing less and recognizing that, if Christ is at the center of our lives, we have everything. Jesus calls us to become like children, to love God and our neighbor, and to allow him to transform our character. We find wisdom by reading God’s Word daily; the Holy Spirit gives us discernment, strengthens our fellowship with the Father, and makes us instruments of his grace. In this way, we will be able to face difficulties with victory, peace, and joy, using our abilities and possessions well to bless others.
A journalist interviewed a wise man, and upon entering the room asked him, “What surprises you most about humanity?”
He replied: “That people grow bored with being children and want to grow up quickly, only to wish they were children again afterward. That they sacrifice their health to make money and then lose their money to recover their health. That they long for the future and forget the present, and thus live neither in the present nor in the future. That they live as though they were never going to die and die as though they had never lived.”
The journalist remained silent for a while and asked him, “What are the life lessons that we must learn?” And with a smile, he replied: “That they should learn that they cannot make anyone love them, but must allow themselves to be loved. That the most valuable thing in life is not what we have, but whom we have. That a rich person is not one who has more, but one who needs less, and that money can buy everything except happiness. That physical appearance attracts, but personality makes people fall in love.”
These statements by the wise man make me wonder whether he read the Bible, where we find all of life’s lessons. It is true that in these times many people live without purpose, confused and trying to satisfy personal needs that they never manage to fulfill. The only one who gives us the wisdom to live a full life is Jesus. If we follow his example, there is no way for us to go wrong. He told us to become like children in order to enter the kingdom of heaven. How wonderful it would be if we all desired to become like children, to love God above all things and our neighbor as ourselves.
The wise man remarked that the most valuable thing in life is not what we have, but whom we have, and it is true that if we have Christ at the center of our lives, we truly have everything. If we allow him to guide our lives and transform our character into the character of Christ, we will not only be attractive, but also a blessing to those around us. The presence of Christ in our hearts gives us understanding to use our abilities and also to use our possessions.
How do we find wisdom? Through the daily reading of the Word of God. The Holy Spirit gives us discernment of the Word, helps us maintain deep communion with our Heavenly Father, and enables us to be instruments through whom his grace is manifested to others. By cultivating a life of communion with the Lord, we will have victory in every situation, but above all, we will live life to the fullest.
Heavenly Father, help us to live lives that please you, cultivating communion with you so that your peace and joy may accompany us even in times of difficulty, and so that we may enjoy a victorious and full life that bears witness to your power. We ask this in the name of Jesus.