We are dreamers, thinkers and idea generators.
When I was in grade school, my teacher said to my mom, “Shawn’s a good kid, he’s here, but he’s not here.”
I was a daydreamer exploring imaginary worlds, running through the woods, all inside my mind.
I’m still a dreamer. I spend hours exploring ideas and dreams. Maybe that’s why I enjoy writing. Writing gives me an outlet to pull the thoughts from my head and get them on paper.
I’m wondering how I’m going to transition from that thought to what I have to say. Yes, it’s all connected.
If I was a farmer and dreaming about a great harvest, I may want to go outside, get the plow and start preparing the soil. There’s my transition.
I think we overcomplicate life. We tie happiness to some future event down the road. Want to know the truth? We have today, and that’s an excellent place to start.
I’ve pondered a question that God asked Moses for some time now. God asked Moses, “What’s in your hand?” Moses replied, “a staff.” That staff would become a tool for Moses. God used the resources that Moses had. God uses the resources that you have. You can read about that in Exodus 4.
The question God asks Moses is an excellent question to ask ourselves. We make our happiness tied to some future event. We think when we get to a specific place in life; then everything will fall into place. That’s not how it works. What’s in your hand today? That’s where it all starts.
When Jesus taught the disciples to pray, one easy to miss item He mentioned was, “give us this day our daily bread.” God provides us everything we need today. I’m sure when Jesus said that, they may have remembered stories about God providing mana. When the Israelites were wandered through the wilderness, God provided mana each day. They were only allowed to gather enough for that day. What has God given you today?
I read an article by Austin Kleon that reinforced these ideas about which I’m writing. He wrote about his process and how he works. He writes, “I just do the work in front of me.” You can read his article here.
What would happen if we just did the work that’s right in front of us and did it with excellence? By God’s grace, that’s my goal.
He went on the mention some quotes by C.S. Lewis that I find very fitting.
“Happy work is best done by the man who takes his long-term plans somewhat lightly and works from moment to moment,” he said. “It is only our daily bread that we are encouraged to ask for. The present is the only time in which any duty can be done or any grace received.”
Dreams and pondering the future are good. Capture those thoughts, write them down, pray about them, then get up and do what God has given you today. He will supply all your needs.