Are you a stressed-out personality? I am—the original choleric.

One evening (just before my heart attack) I was in my office at church praying. The service was about to begin.

The Lord said, "All there is, is now."

I thought, "Boy, I'm a short-termer. I may die before I go out to preach."

Well I didn't. In fact I am still alive and giving people a bad time.

It took a while before the wisdom of the Lord's word took hold. It's really profound! Yesterday at that time was now. Tomorrow will be now when it gets here.

Did you ever lay in bed all tense with your fists clenched and your toes curled up? Analyze the situation. You probably will find there is nothing wrong right now, it is the future or the past that has you tensed up. Right?

It is difficult for some of us to live in the present.

I'm riding in the car. I'm all tensed up. Why? Because I'm thinking about what I'm going to do when I get there.

Did you ever notice on the airplane what happens during a landing? The seat belt sign goes off. Everyone springs to his feet. Most of the people stand bent over because of the low ceiling until they can get out in the aisle. There we stand all tense, waiting for the line to move.

Usually you don't save five minutes doing this. It makes much more sense to stay seated until there is room. But there we are, living in the future, not aware we are cramped and uncomfortable, worrying about when the line will start moving.

Do you ever do this?

It isn't easy but I have been trying to catch myself from time to time and say "All there is, is now." It really helps. You begin to relax, realizing you aren't hurting (most of the time). In fact you might take a nap instead of hoping you get where you're going.

This sounds like Reader's Digest material but I'm not into smelling the flowers and noticing how beautiful the sunset is. Maybe you are. You're fortunate. God made a beautiful world and it ought to be enjoyed.

But I've got things I want to do, like telling people what I have learned over the last half-century as a Christian and some of the stuff the Lord tells me. Maybe somebody will be encouraged and begin to joyfully seek the Lord and walk in righteousness.

One such person makes all the tension worthwhile. But taking a deep breath and saying "All there is, is now" gets rid of some of the strain.

This procedure is most effective if you have committed all that you're worrying about to the Lord.

Today is the day of salvation. Thank you, Lord.

Mother, are we there yet?