Now is the Time

Nobody can bring yesterday back; tomorrow is already treading at the heels of today, pushing to “get it over with.” We should worry more about living a good life now so that we can get to that heavenly land where we will not need to worry about “getting over with” anything.

—Augustine, Sermon 124.4

As an old historian, this excerpt from Augustine speaks to me. There are times I wish I could bring back yesterday to right wrongs, to relive happy times, or to be in the company of those whom I love but have lost to death. But that is not the way time works, and I guess that is a good thing. I know from my own experience that when I put on my historian’s hat, it is possible to get lost in another world of space and time. When that happens, of course, I am not attending to the present, the only time that really matters, the only time I have to make a difference.

Paul understood the importance of living in the present when he said in regard to his own faith journey, “But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:13-14). So did our Lord understand the importance of living in the present when he said, “Don’t worry about tomorrow. It will take care of itself. You have enough to worry about today” (Matthew 6:34).

This does not mean we should not enjoy our memories or ignore them. After all, memory too is a gift from God. Rather, it means we are to live in the present for now is the only time we have to live. Our days are numbered. Make the most of the time with which God has blessed you.