Enjoying Today

Sometimes I encounter songs that speak to my heart from the moment I first hear them. I experienced a song like that today while getting in my car to go to work. As I started the car this morning, the radio began to play the song "What About Now" by Daughtry, and a specific set of lyrics caught my attention.

What about now? What about today?
What if you're making me all that I was meant to be?

While Daughtry probably wrote this song with a significant other in mind, I listened to this with my own lover in mind, Jesus Christ.

You see, before getting into my car this morning, I had a moment where I started to think about all of the things on that perennial to-do list. And I thought: It feels like this is never ending. 


And I was tempted to despair as well as think through all of the things left to do for my classes this semester and all of the things left to do before I go to Poland. But in that moment, I had to stop and remember the lesson that the Lord taught me last week: slow down, rest, and reset. 


But also, a small still voice spoke in my mind, "Just one day at a time."


One day at a time. Breathe. One day at a time. 


So I was just thinking about that when I heard the lyrics to this song. One day at a time and then BAM: "What about now? What about today?"


And then I realized something. Why is it so hard to live in the present? WHAT ABOUT NOW? Why can't I just enjoy right now? 


I think a lot of it has to do with culture, but then it also has to do with the essence of me. You see, I'm a crazy dreamer. I think in potentials, in futures, in dreams, and in hopes. I daydream. I set goals. And why? Because my brain is always thinking about how to get to the next thing. 


But If I get to the next thing, I'll just think of how I can get to the next next thing, and then another next thing, and then another next next thing, and then another next next next thing. It goes on and on. Are you bored yet? My point: if I'm living for getting to the next thing, I will never be satisfied, and I will never enjoy the journey. 


So... What about now? What about today. What if you're making me all that I am meant to be?


God has given me today. He has given me 24 hours because honestly that's all that I can handle. He knows my destination. He knows where I'm going. He is making me ALL that I am MEANT TO BE. I don't have to live for the next thing. I just have to live for the final thing. 


And the final thing is eternal life with Jesus in heaven. 


And that frees me! That frees me from feeling like I have to do ______ before I die. Or _____. Or feeling like I have to get so many things done at one. It really frees me. I can take my time. I can take a breathe. I can take a rest! I can just enjoy today. 


I know where I'm going, and I know not only who I am meant to be but also who I AM.


In the words of one of my favorite songs "I Am New" by Jason Gray:

Forgiven, Beloved, Hidden in Christ, Made in the Image of the Giver of Life
Righteous, and Holy, Reborn, and Remade
Accepted and Worthy, this is Our New Name

So looking at the Daughtry song, I can just enjoy right now. I can enjoy today. I don't have to wonder if I am being made into all that I am meant to be, because I am. I don't have to worry about the future or getting to the next big thing or even the final thing. Because I will get to it whether I run or I dawdle. And that gives me peace in the moments when it feels like there are so many things to do to get to the next big things. 


I will get there... eventually. Until then, I'm going to enjoy today.

P.S. Right after "What About Now" finished playing, "Let it Go" started playing, and I felt so loved!