Living Holy in the Present Moment
By Mercedes Shirts
Sometimes I find myself sinking into a cloud of nostalgia, wrapping myself up in the comfort of memories from college and high school, from old friendships to previous jobs. Other times I pass my days waiting for my life to begin. I worry and wonder what tomorrow, next month, or next year will bring.
I don’t want these days to pass only to be logged as fleeting moments in the diary of my life. I want to take delight in each moment God gives to me. I want to allow Him to bend and mold me, to sanctify me in the present.
“As to the past, let us entrust it to God’s mercy, the future to divine providence. Our task is to live holy the present moment.”
These words from St. Gianna Molla echo the Lord’s desire for us to continually dwell in Him, challenging us to surrender our entire lives to the Lord. These words encourage us to overturn the mundane moments, the repetitive moments, the extraordinary moments so that the Lord might sanctify them.
Living holy in the present moment can staggeringly alter our perspective of an hour, a minute, even a second. Whether brushing your teeth, dealing with a stressful work situation, or enjoying a sunny day, the Lord is present there. He is inviting you to see Him at that moment. He wants to comfort you, to rejoice with you, to simply walk with you. In our distracting world, constantly dwelling in the light of the Lord is difficult, so here are some simple tips to begin practicing living holy in the present moment:
Lean into Scripture
The Lord doesn’t make mistakes. During times of doubt or uncertainty, remember that scripture is layered with reminders that the Lord has intentionally placed us in each moment of our lives.
These words from Esther are a particularly good reminder that the Lord calls us to the here and now: “Perhaps you were made for such a time as this.” (Esther 4:14).
You were made for this time– right here, right now. Allow this invitation to the present to render your heart vulnerable. Allow God to refine you, direct you, and show you your purpose, sanctifying this moment.
Philippians 3:13-14 beautifully reminds us that a heaven-oriented mindset should be our concern as we journey through each day: “Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”
Be encouraged by the ultimate goal! Know that the Lord delights in both small and remarkable moments as you journey to Him. Treasure the idea that each moment can be a sanctified steppingstone on the way to Him.
Pray, Pray, Pray
Begin each day with a prayer of gratitude. Thank the Lord for the grace of each moment you will encounter throughout your day. Ask Him to help you remember Him as you navigate the day.
During difficult times, pause and invite the Holy Spirit into your heart to guide you, to sanctify you, to give you wisdom and discernment. During joyful moments, whisper a phrase of gratitude to the Lord for bringing delight to your life.
In all things, remember that He is with you in an incomprehensible way. Abandon yourself to Him through prayer, and He will sanctify you.
Turn to Church Leaders
Post one of the following quotes in a prominent place in your home as a reminder that living in the moment is a response to God’s call to holiness.
“We must be faithful to the present moment or we will frustrate the plan of God for our lives.” – Blessed Solanus Casey
“Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin.” – St. Mother Teresa
“God does not ask of us the perfection of tomorrow, nor even of tonight, but only of the present moment.” – St. Madeleine Sophie Barat
“Let us strive to make the present moment beautiful!” – St. Francis de Sales
“O present moment, you belong to me, whole and entire. I desire to use you as best as I can. And although I am weak and small, you grant me the grace of your omnipotence.” – St. Maria Faustina Kowalska
The Fruit of Living in the Moment
God wants to free us from the shackles of the past and the paralysis of the future. He wants to bear fruit in the moment. He wants to refresh us, to give us the grace to understand that any moment offered to Him is a blessed, sanctified moment. Now is the very moment to respond to this calling to walk with Him in the present.
