Wednesday, June 03, 2009

ARE YOU LIVING IN THE PRESENT TENSE?

On the surface, the present tense would imply at the moment. The question, Are you living in the present tense?, seems to guide you away from the past as well as the future. And, it's not a bad question. Sometimes we miss the wonder of now by fretting over one or both of the others.

But the question isn't about time, but mood. Are you living in the present (the moment)....tense(ly)?, is my real question. With news from abroad, D.C., and the doctor's office, mankind has a head start on living in the present....tensely. How do we calm down?

Watch Jesus. Model Jesus the best you can. When they were nailing his hands to the cross, yet another occasion arose for him to lose it. Historians report when execution of criminals nailed to crosses reached the point of nails piercing hands, their senses were distorted and they lost all control due to outlandish and gripping pain. From every victim came wild screaming and cursing. They were living in the present....tense.

Not Jesus. When they pierced his hands his words were, Father forgive them for they don't know what they do. In the most (in)tense pain, Jesus chose not to live in the present....tense. He does the same for us. Jesus quite calm was his manner.....directed toward us.

We can live in the present.....calm(ly).

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