Living In The Square
“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:34
Spread before me were 12 crisp new calendar pages. As I sat with the year in hand, I handled the pages carefully as if I crumpled one it would mar something that was ahead. I could feel the weight of all of the unknowns. I had strong feelings about the New Year named “2020” that I had just entered. The new year stirred great anticipation and excitement and I loved the idea of leaving the past and stepping into the new. But what would fill these twelve pages? I barely whispered the words… “This represents the next year of my life.” But as soon as the words slipped through my lips, I sensed the Lord correcting me.
“You are not given twelve clean, crisp months, but only one square.”
One glorious square called today. Each square on these pages took on new meaning as I reached for the Book of pages that are certain and permanent. His word spoke right into the moment and brought meaning to this “one square living” truth.
Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” James 4:13-16
I don’t think Jesus lived by a calendar, but by the voice of His Father.
There were planned days to celebrate important feasts, but we see that Jesus didn’t move by the expectation of people, but by His Father’s voice. I remember the story where the disciples asked if He was going to attend the feast and He answered no, the time wasn’t right. But when they arrived and looked around, there He was. (John 7:8-10) Within His square, He lived by the Father’s leading.
Oh, that we could live the same way in 2020—waiting and moving on God’s time table.
One simple square—a block of time is all that any of us are promised. But what a gift of one single square of life. The privilege of living for His glory—fulfilling His plans and purposes. When I live with my focus on all that is going on and all that “might” happen or the demands and expectations of other people, my perspective of today gets very clouded.
Yes, we still plan, dream and strategize, but we do it with hands wide open, surrendered to God’s will. When we live knowing that God is sovereign and He is the one who always does good, then we can trust that He has the power to change anything at any time.
God sees all the squares and He gives us breath for each new day. Let’s allow Him to write on our squares—filling our days with what brings Him glory.
I think the answer to living this way is living with a pencil in hand. I pencil in the plans, appointments, goals, and events acknowledging that God can erase any thing at any time. “If the Lord wills…..this is my plan.” As I treasure this one day, I will know the fullness of His love, His voice, His leading and His daily provision.
“Lord teach us how to live wisely, looking and planning ahead, but keeping our feet in this one square of today. Open our eyes to see the lost, hurting and broken in the today. Give us eyes that look ahead, but feet that live in today. May we live fully for your glory day by day. We desire to fasten our gaze upon You and Your purpose and Your plan, allowing you to fill these pages with purpose and meaning. We will pencil in our plans and allow You to hold the pen.”
“This is the day the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it.”