Many of us have probably heard the expression, “One day at a time”. Elizabeth L., expands on the meaning of this expression beginning on page 27 of her book, “Twelve Steps for Overeaters, An Interpretation of the Twelve Steps of Overeaters Anonymous”.
This is what she wrote:
When we are in tune with God, we are
living in the present instead of fretting
over the past, or fantasizing about the
future. God is now.
God gives us strength for what actually
is happening right this minute. When
we try to rewrite what happened a long time ago or when we worry about what might
happen tomorrow, we lose touch with our source of strength. Wandering around in a
daydream makes it easy to get lost.
We can’t know what tomorrow will bring. The best way to prepare for whatever may arrive
is to maintain spiritual contact today. Amazingly, when we stay attuned to a Higher
Power today, whatever comes up tomorrow turns out to be okay. Often, it’s even better than
okay – a lot better.
It stands to reason that God has access to information that you and I do not have. If we insist on acting only according to our limited vision, we restrict ourselves.
Turning our lives over to the care of (the) God (of our understanding) frees us from our own
limitations. If we are listening now, one day at a time, to inner promptings, we become more
creative. The pieces begin to fall into place. Situations that seemed impossible begin to
untangle. We get the strength and the insight to deal with them on a daily basis.
King David may have had something similar in mind when he wrote the final 2 verses of
Psalm 5.
... let all those rejoice who put their trust in You; Let them ever shout for joy, because You
defend them; Let those also who love Your name be joyful in You.
For You, O Lord, will bless the righteous; with favour You will surround him (or her) as with a shield.
Did you catch those words? Let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them.
Can we say that today? Can we say that we are shouting for joy because we know that God is defending us?
We sing the first 3 verses of this Psalm. According to the Bible this is a Prayer of Guidance accompanied by melodies created with flutes.
It begins …
Give ear to my words, O Lord, consider my meditation.
Give heed to the voice of my cry, my King and my God, for to You I will pray.
My voice You shall hear in the morning, O Lord; In the morning I will direct it to You, and
I will look up.
Let us pray. Heavenly Father, help us to trust that, moment by moment, You are defending us. May we rest in Your peace that passes all understanding. We ask this in the precious and holy name of Jesus. Amen.
Until next time, may God bless you in delightfully unexpected ways.