Just Be Here Now, Just Be

notalone

I don’t know about you, but I can get completely tangled up in uncertainty of what’s ahead and what the future might look like. Somehow, I’m guessing you do too.

You may have discovered you’re gay, and you’re terrified of the implications: the reaction of your family, your church, your work. Will you be ostracized? Rejected? Who will love you?

You may be a parent of someone who’s gay, and you’re terrified of the implications: what will people think of you? And your family? What will your child’s future look like? Will they be safe?

But going there does not really help anything, and it does not produce life. That’s what’s become crystal clear to me. To go there only robs me of joy and power for today.

There are no concrete answers.

The past is the past, the future is unknown… all we have is today, now.

I know it is easier said than done, but I also know that this life – especially if you are a follower of Jesus – is supposed to be simple. So, I have boiled down some essentials for us to try not to worry about…

Stop looking with concern to what’s ahead – the future is unknown. And when we focus on it, we miss today. All we have is the now.
Stop worrying about who will love you and who will reject you. You can’t control that – and most of the time their issue with you is not about you at all. It is something in their own hearts, their own lives – and they are on their own journey. All we can do is love.
Don’t plan ahead from fear. It debilitates you from acting on priorities that do need your attention.

Instead, here are some powerful opposites, alternative ways to approach these issues…

Do what’s on your plate today. Focus on today. This moment. Right now.
Love others fully and freely. If they don’t love you back, it’s not your issue. Love without hesitation. Love without reservation. Love without condition.
Look ahead with gratitude and hope. Hand your fears over to God and ask for joy instead! Expect a peace that is deeper than you can even understand – a peace that doesn’t make sense, given your circumstances.

I am trying every day to change my heart to love more fully, more radically, more completely – even in the face of hate.

It is not easy, but it is the right thing to do.

Just know you are not alone on your journey.

Let’s just be here now. Let’s just be.