The life you live is the life right in front of you.

We often wish that our lives were somehow different. We can’t wait until something different and better comes along. Kids can’t wait until they can ride a bike, or go to school, or play sports. Teenagers can’t wait until they start dating, or start driving, or get a job. Young adults can’t wait to leave home, get to college, or finish college, or get that first full-time job. They can’t wait until they get married, or until they have kids, or until they own a house. Then we can’t wait for our kids grow up and leave. Then we can’t wait until our kids get married, or until we have grandkids, or until retirement. 

You get the idea.

I want to be clear, that there’s nothing wrong in looking ahead and planning. But is it possible that in constantly looking forward we miss what’s right in front of us? Do we see each moment of each day as having its own value and significance?

Jeremiah 29 records an exchange between Jeremiah the prophet and some Israelites who were already in exile. At this point the city of Jerusalem was still standing. It had already been attacked twice by the Babylonians but had not yet fallen. A group of exiles from Jerusalem who had already been taken to Babylon sent a letter to the prophet Jeremiah, asking if their exile would really last 70 years as he had prophesied. False prophets in Babylon were saying no. 

Most of Jeremiah 29 is his reply to the exiles in the form of a letter. Verses 4-7 say, “Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I have sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon, ‘Build houses and live in them; and plant gardens and eat their produce. Take wives and become the fathers of sons and daughters, and take wives for your sons and give your daughters to husbands, that they may bear sons and daughters; and multiply there and do not decrease. Seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf; for in its welfare you will have welfare.’”

God reminded them of three things. First, they were in Babylon in exile because he sent them there, not because of some bizarre political accident. Second, by implication, they would remain there until the 70 years had ended. Third, they had the opportunity for a rich, fulfilling life right where they were – yes, even in Babylon. 

The easiest thing to do in life is wish it away. Some people spend every day wanting something better. Instead, may God give us the grace each day to live the life that’s right in front of us.