Time Delay: The Ultimate with God

Hey everyone, I pondered something fascinating today and I wanted to share it with you. 

Seeing Beyond the Illusion of Time

Have you ever looked up at the stars and felt a sense of wonder? I mean to really look at them and think about them. It's incredible to think that what you see is actually the past. When you gaze at the stars, you're seeing light that was put out years ago; in some cases thousands or millions of years ago. 

Once when I was still living in Maryland, I took my binoculars outdoors on a cold and clear night. I was able to find the Andromeda Galaxy, in the northern sky. It appeared at first as a fuzzy ball of light, but eventually made out the shape of the galaxy

It was fascinating looking at that object and realizing how far away from us it is.

I looked it up and discovered  Andromeda is 2.5 million light years from us. Now a light year is the distance light travels in a year. To keep that in perspective, light travels about 186,000 miles per second. 

What that means is when I was looking at Andromeda, I was seeing light that was put out 2.5 million years ago. 

What this means is when I was looking at Andromeda and when you look up at the stars, you're actually looking back into the past.

It even takes sunlight around eight minutes to reach us here on earth. So the sunlight you're seeing is from the past, not the present. 

This idea extends to everything you perceive and know. You're always seeing the past, not the present. Why is that? When you look at things around you, trees, flowers, furniture in your house or even friends and family, you're not seeing them in the present. You're actually looking into the past then too. 

You're actually seeing the light reflecting off of them. It's like the moon. The moon doesn't put out its own light. The light you see when you look at the moon is actually sunlight being reflected off of the moon's surface.  

In the same way, light reflected off of the objects we see causes you to see them. It takes time for the light to reflect off the object, on to your retina and to your brain to process it. 

So in actuality, everything you see is from the past. You're never living in the present, always the past. What does that mean for you as a Kingdom person?

God lives in the past, present and future, but His focus is the present and the future, with highest priority for the present. It takes faith to draw near to God. Therefore faith is the only way you can truly live in the present...with God. 

Living by Faith, Not Sight

You know, there's a timeless truth in Scripture that says you live by faith and not by sight. It's a powerful reminder that by depending on seeing with our eyes, we'll stay planted in the past. 

This is why you say things are impossible. What you perceive is always in the past. There's nothing further that can be done. It's gone. It's done.  You perceive this in your spirit and heart. 

Jesus said all things are possible with God. This is because God isn't linked to the past as we are, but He's truly in the present and the future. God exists beyond the constraints of time; beyond the impossibilities of the past. He dwells where things happen, not in the past, where nothing can be done or change, but in the present and future.

So the only way to truly be in the present and not continually linked to the past, is through faith; aligning ourselves with God who is always now. 

Practical Ways to Live in the Present Through Faith

That's all well and good you may be thinking, but how do I experience God in the present and not focus on the past? Let's talk about some practical ways you can embrace the present moment through faith:

1. Meditation: Take some time each day to practice meditation. Not new age type meditation, but meditating on God's word and God. "Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on the earth" (Colossians 3:2). Focus on God, His love for you, His attributes, how Christ died for you, how God has positioned you and what He wants to do through you. Quieting your mind, tuning into God and being in the present with Him, you can experience a deep sense of peace and connection with God through faith. 

2. Gratitude Practice: Make it a habit to express gratitude for the blessings in your life. "...having been firmly rooted and now being fully built up in Him (Christ) and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude. Take a moment each day to acknowledge the simple joys and miracles around you. Give thanks to God for all you have. Gratitude shifts your focus from the past or future to fully appreciating the present moment, which can only truly be experienced in the present with God. 

3. Letting Go of Attachments: Learn to let go of attachments to the past and future. Instead of dwelling on memories or worrying about what's to come, practice surrendering to the flow of life; to God's guidance through His Spirit. Trust in His plan which is always unfolding in the present moment.

4. Service to Others: Engage in acts of service and compassion. When we extend love and kindness to others, we connect with God's presence. Serving others helps us embody the present moment by selflessly giving of ourselves.

5. Prayer and Contemplation: Set aside time each day for prayer, meditation, or contemplative practices. Use these moments to deepen your spiritual connection with God and His Spirit through Christ. Always attune your heart and mind to the presence of God.

Embracing the Eternal Now

Living in the present through faith isn't just a concept - it's a transformative truth that can enrich your life.  By being present with God through faith, we can experience a profound sense of connection with God and a deeper appreciation for the beauty of life unfolding moment by moment. So, step out of the past and with God, through Christ, by faith, experience the present God has for you. "Eyes haven't seen, ears haven't heard nor has it entered into the heart of man what God has prepared for those who love Him, for these things are made known by His Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:9).

You can't experience His Spirit in the past, where all you see with your eyes dwell, but in the faith filled present...where God dwells.