Living in the Now: Anchoring Our Hope in Today's Blessings

Do you remember waiting for something—anything—so much that it felt like the center of your entire world? Maybe it was Christmas morning, or perhaps it was the day you'd finally hear those acceptance letters. For those who haven't been on the mission field, I don't know if you can picture it, but when you're counting down the minutes until something big—a graduation, a wedding, or even just the end of a long, hard week—everything else can seem secondary. You live on the precipice of that moment.

It’s exhilarating, right? That feeling of heightened expectation. But what happens when that anticipation stretches out too long? It can become exhausting, almost… distracting from the very ground beneath our feet. It’s a feeling I think we all know, whether we’re waiting for a transfer, waiting for a call to serve, or just waiting for a better season in our lives.

Recently, I was pondering this, and it brought to mind the counsel given about hope. We are taught that hope is vital; it’s what keeps us going when the work is tough, or when the investigator questions seem to pile up faster than we can answer them. But we must be careful not to let the *hope* for tomorrow eclipse the *blessing* of today.

The Danger of Living in the Future

When we spend all our emotional, spiritual, and mental energy invested in a future outcome—whether it’s the next call, the next revelation, or even just the next big life milestone—we risk losing touch with the present. And friends, the Spirit whispers to us constantly about the importance of the *now*. We are disciples of Jesus Christ, and He taught us to live in the day.

Three Pillars for Anchoring Ourselves in Today

The counsel I gathered from that message really resonated with me, especially as I think about our constant effort to be Internet missionaries. We are always planning, always preparing, always looking toward the next opportunity to share the gospel. But we need to anchor ourselves in three simple truths:

1. Live in Today: Hope for tomorrow, yes, but invest your energy in today's stewardship. Don't let the worry about what *might* happen tomorrow sap the energy you need to be Christlike right here, right now. If we take care of today's affairs—our family, our service calls, our study groups—we are wisely laying the groundwork for those future dreams.
2. Practice Gratitude for What Is: Satisfaction doesn't come from the *potential* of something future; it comes from the *praise* for what God has already given us. A continuous outpouring of thanks for the blessings of this day—the friendships, the temple recommend, the chance to gather Israel—is deeply edifying. Gratitude grounds the heart where it belongs.
3. Seek the Kingdom First: This is the linchpin. Jesus taught us to seek His kingdom and His righteousness *first*. Everything else—our job, our studies, our plans—should flow from that primary focus. If our ultimate hope is to be with God, then every small decision we make today must point us in that direction. It keeps our goals worthy of disciples of Jesus.

   A Little Challenge for Our Journey

   As we continue to build up our discipleship—whether you're in MTC, serving in your first assignment, or you’ve been a returned missionary for years—I want us to try a small shift this week. When you find yourself mentally reviewing a future event, pause. Take three deep breaths, and then consciously name one thing you are genuinely grateful for *right now*. It could be the quiet in your home, the clarity of a scripture verse, or the fellowship of your ward. Let gratitude be the central emotion.

   Remember, every member can be an Internet missionary, every member can be a disciple anywhere, all the time. Let's make sure that "anywhere" means right here, right now.

   If you're looking to deepen this study, I highly recommend checking out the Iron Rod library for any recent writings on discipleship. And for those who love digging into scripture, don't forget to check out a Book Club or Bible Study Group in HolyPlaces—it’s a wonderful way to keep the focus on the Word!