“I’m Here Right Now”

The ongoing saga between star running back Jonathan Taylor and the Indianapolis Colts appears to be one step closer to reaching a conclusion. Having spent the past nine months recovering from right ankle surgery, Taylor finally returned to practice with the Colts this week and seems ready to make his 2023 season debut very soon. Though Taylor spent significant time away from the playing field while he recovered from surgery, he didn't step away from the spotlight. Taylor was a consistent presence in headlines in the offseason and was very outspoken about his displeasure with his contract situation with the Colts. Rumors then started to circulate about the friction existing between Taylor and the organization, which led many people to wonder about his future with them. With all of the offseason tension lingering in the air, Taylor was naturally questioned about his commitment to the team during a recent exchange with reporters. Taylor responded, “I'm here right now. If somebody wasn't committed, they wouldn't be here. And right now, I'm here and my No. 1 goal is to attack this first practice.” While the sincerity of Taylor’s commitment to the Colts will ultimately be seen by what transpires in the coming months, there's still something to glean from his recent comments. As followers of Jesus, we can easily lose sight of the here and now because we're so focused on the future. Our future-oriented focus could stem from being excited about an aspiration that hasn't come to fruition...or having an important life decision we need to make. And while having goals, making plans, and looking forward to future events is not inherently sinful, we must not lose sight of where we are currently. We may end up in a different situation moving forward, but, like Jonathan Taylor, we must be able to live with a perspective that says, “I’m here right now.” In Matthew 6:34 (ESV), Jesus told His followers, “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” The truth of the matter is when we get too focused on the future, it hinders our ability to focus on what is happening in the present. Often in those moments, we forget the Lord has providentially placed us where we are today so we might do all things for His glory (1 Corinthians 10:31). James, the half-brother of Jesus, had a word of warning for believers who seemed to be so focused on their future plans that they neglected to do what was good and right in the present. In James 4:13-17 (NLT), he wrote, “Look here, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we are going to a certain town and will stay there a year. We will do business there and make a profit.’ How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone. What you ought to say is, ‘If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that.’ Otherwise, you are boasting about your own pretentious plans, and all such boasting is evil. Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.” We need to constantly remind ourselves that tomorrow isn't promised. We might have plans for our future, but there's no guarantee our plans will play out as we desire. Therefore, we should focus greater attention on how we can best glorify God where we are right now. Again, this doesn't mean there's never an appropriate time to plan or prepare for something that might take place in the future. But it does mean that overly focusing on the future can make us less effective in the present. So today, let’s remember that we are where we are today so we can glorify God in our current circumstances. Let’s focus on doing all that we should to make the most of our present...trusting that God will direct our steps as we move toward the future. I’m Matt Osborne, and you can UNPACK that! PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you for placing me where I am today. Please help me focus on how I can best glorify You in my current situation...trusting You will lead and guide me along my life path. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR PACKS: 1. In what ways have you allowed focusing on a possible future happening to distract you from glorifying God at the moment?

2. What practical ways can you ensure that you remain focused on glorifying God at all times?