BALANCING BETWEEN TODAY AND TOMORROW by robyn roste
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The answer is both. Although it sounds t’s a motto, a saying, a pop song, a ballad, and even a movie. We’ve heard it so many like a paradox, the key is learning to balance the reality of today with the hope of tomortimes its meaning has dulled. I’m referring to the phrase “Today is the row, making decisions today knowing they first day of the rest of your life.” Ever used will affect your tomorrows and help prepare it? As a child, this framed saying—complete you for what’s to come. Think of it like the parable Jesus relates in with a delicately embossed rose—greeted me across the sewing/guest room at my Mark 13:34–37. Imagine you’re housesitting grandparent’s family farm. I don’t think for a friend and have been trusted to take care a visit passed without my pondering the of the plants, pets, and yard but have no idea when your friend will return home. Since you deeper meaning of these words. don’t know when they're Even when I was young, Although it sounds like coming back, you don’t I noted the difficulty of a paradox, the key is get too comfortable. You living in the present, living each day as if it were learning to balance the take care of the house, you wash your dishes, and you your first. And your last. reality of today with the tidy the bed each day so But since these words hope of tomorrow everything is in order, just are backed up by many Scripture verses such as Psalm 118:24, James in case your friend returns that day. Although 4:13–17, Philippians 3:13, and Romans 8:18, I you’re presently taking care of the place, you know at any moment they will return and also know it’s the truth. While we know we shouldn’t live in the you will leave. Is it possible to live in the present while past, things get confusing when these ideas about the present are contrasted with the being mindful of the future? Yes! The real words of John 12:25, John 17:16, or Luke 21:33. trick is figuring out how to live in the presInstead of encouraging us to live each day to ent without getting too comfortable, so the fullest, they teach us not be too attached you’re ready to go just as soon as it’s time. to our world or our lives here, because they are temporary. So, what are we supposed to Robyn Roste is the communications director at focus on—our present or our future? Insight for Living Canada.
