Do we live primarily for the present or the future?

[public hermit]

I recently came across this assertion: We live mainly for the present, not the future. I think, all things being equal, that's right. Practically speaking, much of what we do pertains to the present, or perhaps, the immediate future. But the further out into the future we consider, the less our current choices and activities pertain to it. Humans are myopic. It is a rare individual who regularly acts on behalf of what might be ten, twenty, or thirty years from now. Exceptions, of course, can be found. But, generally speaking, we are mostly concerned with the here and now, or what is not far from the here and now. At best most of what we do concerns what will be within a year's time.

Assuming the above is accurate, this presents a particular problem for us as Christians. For the most part, our hope is tied to a future that may be still be a good way off. You may live thirty more years, depending on your age. And yet, our actions are, to some extent, to be done in light of a promised future that only the Father knows in advance. We are to refrain from certain things, not on the promise of immediate gratification, but on the promise of a blessed hope that may be awhile in coming.

So, two questions:
1. Is it true that, practically speaking, we live primarily for the present and not for the future? I'm not asking what we should do, but what we actually do.
2. If (1) is true, then how do we, as Christians, live for a future hope that might still be a good way off, when much of what we decide and do in everyday life pertains to the present and immediate future? In other words, what are some practical things a person can do to overcome the human tendency to be myopic in outlook?

 

[eleos1954]

The Lord gives us a day at a time .... really is second by second ... at any time .... our breath could return to the Lord.

Ecclesiastes 12:7

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Then the dust [of mortals] goes back to the ground as it was before, and the breath of life goes back to God who gave it.

 

[public hermit]

The Lord gives us a day at a time .... really is second by second ... at any time .... our breath could return to the Lord.

Ecclesiastes 12:7

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Then the dust [of mortals] goes back to the ground as it was before, and the breath of life goes back to God who gave it.

So, are you saying we should live for the present, since that is all we really have?

 

[eleos1954]

So, are you saying we should live for the present, since that is all we really have?

Does it make any difference? We live for the Lord .... present or future ;o)

 

[jacks]

For me personally, I'm actually trying to live more in the present and less in the future. I've missed a lot of special moments worrying about what might happen. (And it rarely does...) As a "worry-wort" I'm trying to pay more attention to the joys of today.

So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:34

 

[All Glory To God]

I would say both.

We live for the present to be sanctified and made good for the kingdom of God. During this process we also live the life God has set out to glorify himself, in us, presently.

We live for the future as our final and best destination is beyond this life. With God forever in the future.

 

[public hermit]

Does it make any difference? We live for the Lord .... present or future ;o)

True. And, maybe it shouldn't make a difference.

I think how we use resources could have some bearing on whether we think only about the present or more towards the future. What does appropriate Christian stewardship look like, for instance? It's going to look different depending on how far an outlook we take into consideration. It is also going to look different if we take into account that the choices we make today will have an effect three or four generations from now. Now, if I assume, perhaps because of the current political climate, that Jesus is coming back soon, maybe I won't think in terms of long-term stewardship. But, am I warranted to make that assumption?

 

[Anthony2019]

Whatever happens to me in the future is in God's hands.
In the meantime, I should focus on living my life for Him in the here and now.
In Christ, we are promised life in all its abundance, and our journey starts right here.
Serving God, reaching out and touching the lives of those we meet, with love, mercy and grace.
Matthew 25:23 ""His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'"

 

[public hermit]

For me personally, I'm actually trying to live more in the present and less in the future. I've missed a lot of special moments worrying about what might happen. (And it rarely does...) As a "worry-wort" I'm trying to pay more attention to the joys of today.

So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:34

This is a good point. And, it's one I can be susceptible to, as well.

So, how can we live in the present, while also being attentive to our future hope? I am thinking here in terms of the usual sacrifices that Christians are called to make, which may make the present somewhat uncomfortable or difficult, and yet is expected of us, nonetheless?

For instance, and this gets to an area I can have a tendency to worry about, how do I figure my finances in such a way that I am being prudent towards possible future need (i.e. not blowing it all for the sake of an immediate pleasure), while also being willing to share and maybe share more than I am comfortable with? This is just an example, but it kind of gets to the tension between living in the present, having an eye to the future, and also being faithful to we are called to be.

 

[SkyWriting]

I recently came across this assertion: We live mainly for the present, not the future. I think, all things being equal, that's right. Practically speaking, much of what we do pertains to the present, or perhaps, the immediate future. But the further out into the future we consider, the less our current choices and activities pertain to it. Humans are myopic. It is a rare individual who regularly acts on behalf of what might be ten, twenty, or thirty years from now. Exceptions, of course, can be found. But, generally speaking, we are mostly concerned with the here and now, or what is not far from the here and now. At best most of what we do concerns what will be within a year's time. Assuming the above is accurate, this presents a particular problem for us as Christians. For the most part, our hope is tied to a future that may be still be a good way off.

Or 30 seconds away. When I was in 7th grade, my science partner, Betsy Kaiser, was out for a week and died from pneumonia by Friday. When I was ten, my neighbor's house burned down with three children my age.

Young people I've worked with have died from cancer. The time is neigh.

 

[eleos1954]

True. And, maybe it shouldn't make a difference.

I think how we use resources could have some bearing on whether we think only about the present or more towards the future. What does appropriate Christian stewardship look like, for instance? It's going to look different depending on how far an outlook we take into consideration. It is also going to look different if we take into account that the choices we make today will have an effect three or four generations from now. Now, if I assume, perhaps because of the current political climate, that Jesus is coming back soon, maybe I won't think in terms of long-term stewardship. But, am I warranted to make that assumption?

well .... no one knows when He will return .... My approach is to assume He will not return during my lifetime and make earthly plans/decisions accordingly .... if He does return then AMEN ... because my plans fall far far short of what His plans are .... so absolutely OK by me either way ;o) Actually I would prefer He come back now ... am tired of all this earthly non-sense and devastating things that go on .... earths' tribulations.

Looking forward to the actual eternal peace of His heavenly kingdom!

 

[public hermit]

Whatever happens to me in the future is in God's hands.
In the meantime, I should focus on living my life for Him in the here and now.
In Christ, we are promised life in all its abundance, and our journey starts right here.
Serving God, reaching out and touching the lives of those we meet, with love, mercy and grace.
Matthew 25:23 ""His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'"

What about sacrifices we are called to make as Christians? We forego pleasures, for instance, based on a future that is not known to us in terms of its fulfillment. How does one sustain that over a long period of time?

 

[public hermit]

Or 30 seconds away. When I was in 7th grade, my science partner, Betsy Kaiser, was out for a week and died from pneumonia by Friday. When I was ten, my neighbor's house burned down with three children my age.

Young people I've worked with have died from cancer. The time is neigh.

Good point. Tomorrow isn't guaranteed, but neither is a short life. I was pretty wild growing up. Had I known I was going to live this long I would have definitely done things differently, haha.

It seems to me that in a significant sense, as Christians, we are called to live the kind of life that isn't focused on today, but on a future hope. We are called to eschew greed and share what we have, even if we have to sacrifice to do so. That's all good and fine if I'm going to go home to the Lord tomorrow. But, the temptation is to secure needed resources (or money) for a rainy day, which is prudent. So, there must be a balance. I'm not sure what that looks like. Or, maybe we should throw caution to the wind and give it all away not worrying about tomorrow?

 

[Anthony2019]

What about sacrifices we are called to make as Christians? We forego pleasures, for instance, based on a future that is not known to us in terms of its fulfillment. How does one sustain that over a long period of time?

I would say that as Christians we are certainly called to make sacrifices, but these should always be done in love. With love for God and in serving others. Hebrews 13:16 states "And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased." Jesus stated: "‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice’” (Matthew 9:13), referring of course to Hosea 6:6.

 

[public hermit]

Actually I would prefer He come back now ... am tired of all this earthly non-sense and devastating things that go on .... earths' tribulations.

I'm with you. I am not in love with this world. But this is my point. How do we live now in such a way that takes into account a future hope that may be a good ways off? What are practical steps one can take to live into that tension?

A lot of people hope the Lord is coming back soon. But, it might not happen soon and then we are going to have to figure out what it means to live that out in less than desirable circumstances. But, of course, we should already have that figured out.

 

[Lost4words]

I live primarily for my next meal!

 

[public hermit]

One thing that comes to mind is the use of resources and Christian stewardship. People rarely think more than a couple generations out. But of course, what we do today can have an effect four, five, six generations out. Nobody really thinks like that, hence my comment that humans are myopic.

Let's assume for the sake of argument that Jesus doesn't come back for another three hundred years. If we knew that to be the case, what would we do differently today? Of course, whatever that would be, there is no reason why it shouldn't be what we are now doing simply because we actually don't know when He will return. This is just an example.

 

[eleos1954]

I'm with you. I am not in love with this world. But this is my point. How do we live now in such a way that takes into account a future hope that may be a good ways off? What are practical steps one can take to live into that tension?

A lot of people hope the Lord is coming back soon. But, it may not happen and we are going to have to figure out what it means to live that out in less than desirable circumstances.

My dad always said ... "prepare for the worst" and hope for the best.

I need to remind myself daily ... He will not give me more than I can bear.

Have this quote on one of my computers screen saver.

"I do not know what my future holds ... but ... I do know who holds my future"

 

[Anthony2019]

I live primarily for my next meal!

It's probably the highlight of your day!
And of course a walk in the park. Bet you were chuffed when Boris announced we could all have an hour of exercise outdoors!

 

[public hermit]

"prepare for the worst" and hope for the best.

I like that!

"I do not know what my future holds ... but ... I do know who holds my future"

That too!