Relish Today

Hi Teman2,

I have the urge to write something (Just anything) so I better type them up before my memories fade away. In this week alone, everyone in LA witnessed the departure of two very close friends. I was not physically present but believe me- "I feel your pain". Just recently, God seemed to be "shaking" my emotions, calling me to look back and review my past. When I actually looked back, it was rather difficult. Really, it was very difficult to remember the joys and pains of the past. The truth is, we are all living in a world where time only moves one way. We can never be at the 'same place', 'same situation' and 'same time' all at the same instant. Our sensation and perception of that instant will only last an instant- nothing more than that. Beyond that, we have to face the future, and beyond that we create histories.

But my friends, before you condemn that "instant" to a mere split second that preceeds the future and succeeds the history, think again what determines your futures and what carves your silhouettes. God promises us, in Jeremiah 29:11, that He has brilliant plans for us, plans that aim to prosper us instead of downgrading us. Remember the very instant we accepted Jesus as our savior? That was the instant that brought us infinite prosperity today (as promised in Jeremiah). God also called on people to serve Him in His kingdom. Recall the first day of your ministry in church? That was the instant that puts you closer to God today. Recall the first moment of your decision to apply to a university in Los Angeles? That was the very moment that dictated our friendship. Without all these individual instants, nothing will happen. Your life will be different from what it is today. Last Sunday, Pastor Lusi from IFGF Tokyo preached about making the right decisions today. She did not say make the right decision tomorrow, or regret your decision yesterday. But she stressed the importance of involving God in your decision today.

Therefore, I urge everyone to cherish today. Treat today as a day that you will remember 10 years later. When He sees you treating today with seriousness, I am sure that He will give signals that will bless your day abundantly. He will prosper your today such that tomorrow, you will be looking back with confidence instead of regrets. Give your praise to Him today so that tomorrow, you will witness the great things He has done yesterday! So everyone, today is not merely a time to past. It is a time that will determine your tomorrow and yesterday, your futures and histories. And it starts today, this very second. Grab it quick because it only lasts a second.

Remember the movie "Kung Fu Panda"?

Yesterday is History, Tomorrow a Mystery, Today is a Gift, That's why it's called the Present

Relish Today! God Bless all of you!

Kenji T. Kusuma