I Have Everything I Need???
“I have everything I need” is a radical statement that most people would say is not true about their life. They need a better car, a better cash flow, better friends. But this paraphrase of Psalm 23:1 really is true in this present moment. In this moment, I have oxygen to breathe. In this present moment, I’m not starving. In this present moment, I have a computer that works! In this present moment, I can look outside and see a yard I enjoy—with a tree swing even!
We think we don’t have everything we need because we live in the future. What about the difficult work project this week? What about when I have to tell X about *%$!? What about saving for retirement? Living in the future is not the reality of the moment. I’ve learned that by the time I get to that event, I will have everything I need.
In my travels I was always afraid I’d get stuck in an airport overnight. By the time it happened, I’d begun living in the moment. At 11 PM I was told I was scheduled for a 7 AM flight. Going to a hotel was a waste of time. So I began walking toward the departing gate slowly, waiting to see how God would lead me. I was conscious with each step that I had everything I needed at that moment. Food concessions were closed but I had protein bar in my carry-on. Each time I saw a sleep spot that might work, I saw a problem: metal bars sticking up, close to an intercom, glaring lights. Just in front of the gate I saw a closed Burger King with a booth that extended along the side wall for quite a few yards. One person was already sleeping there but there was plenty of room for others. I sat down, ate my protein bar and thought, I have everything I need. I put my purse under my head and went to sleep. At 5 AM when the food workers woke us up, I still had everything I needed—an alarm. In the bathroom, I had everything I needed to freshen up.
In this present moment I can ask God to help me see everything around me and within me that I can be grateful for. It doesn’t pay off to worry about anything in the future because once that future moment comes, nearly everything has changed. So in this moment, I can ask: What would it look like to love God in this moment? What would it look like to love the person in front of me in this moment?
I think Jesus lived this way. He didn’t spend his life worrying about the cross. He knew that in that moment God would provide everything he needed. Jesus knew the psalms well: This is the day the Lord has made. This is the moment that the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it! So he told us, “Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes. (Psalm 118:24; Matthew 6:34, Msg).
Worry is unnecessary, Dallas Willard said. Explore this idea with me in an online workshop Sept 26, 4 pm or Sept 28, 10 am (Pacific time). The online course Life without Lack based on a new book compiled by Dallas Willard’s talks begins Oct 1. It’s designed for individuals & groups. You don’t have to be in the US. You can download sessions at any time.
Grace and peace,
Jan Johnson
Special Announcement coming on Friday, Sept 14. Get a sneak peek by going to this link: http://lifewithoutlack.net/trust
