This morning as I’m driving towards the beach about to head out for a surf, I take a moment to pray and then set my intention. I try to do this every time because I have to remind myself not to get too serious, judge myself, or compare myself to others. I’m there for the fun and exercise.
So as I was breathing and relaxing and preparing to surf, I heard the Lord remind me, “You are here,” and such a peace came upon me. I’m not over “there,” I’m here. I’m not needing to focus on anything else right now except for being with Him right here, right now.
I pictured one of those directories where the map has a big red spot that says, “you are here” and it made me smile. I think He was smiling too, because for me, I find it difficult to stay “right here, right now” in my mind at times and not be pulled away into something else.
There are so many things that beg for our attention all the time but the Word tells us that “this is the day the Lord has made…rejoice in it.”(Ps.118:24) He hasn’t made tomorrow yet and yesterday (or an hour ago) has already gone. I’m to be mindful of the present moment and rejoice right where I am.
Surfing causes my lack of mindfulness to surface. Unfortunately it’s a sport that’s very conditional; it varies with the wind, the tide, the swell (or lack thereof) and you can’t just go out and do it if the circumstances aren’t right. Plus I, personally, have a struggle with FOMO (fear of missing out), so when I’m walking out to the beach you sometimes hear, “Oh, you should’ve been here and hour ago!” or “It was better this morning.” Now I’m no longer here about to surf, but now thinking about the past and wishing I was there.
This doesn’t happen to me just in surfing. I often spend time wishing I was thinner, stronger, could do somethings better, or wished I would have done something better/differently. My mind gets drawn into either the past or the future instead of rejoicing and being happy right where I am.
But where I am today, right now, right here, is where I am. I’m not in tomorrow, next week, next year or yesterday. I’m right here. I’m to be still and know that He is God in this present moment. (Ps.46:10) Still enough to accept and trust in His goodness right now, and not worry about anything else. (Matt. 6:25-34)
After having set my intention and hearing those words “you are here,” I felt the Spirit impart to me: “Right here is where you are to be. Whatever ability and agility you have is where you are right now. Whatever weight you are is where you are right now. Don’t look at others or into the future. Be where you are, right now.”
He loves me right where I am, right now.
I’m so grateful Father God is able to bring me such peace and comfort when I’m willing to listen. And my dear friend, whatever you’re hoping for or whatever has already happened, He’s right here with you too. Like me, I believe that He’s asking you to look at that directory of your life and find that red spot that says, “you are here,” then be there too, because He loves you where you are right now.