I was reminded of a book that I’ve read several times – The Present, by Spencer Johnson, who also wrote another one of my favorites – Who Moved My Cheese? – and the sequel – Out of the Maze.
The Present is a story of a young man’s journey to adulthood, and his tireless search for The Present, a mysterious and elusive gift he first hears about from a wise old man. This Present, according to the old man, is the most valuable gift a person can receive. Why? Because it is the one thing that doesn’t change in changing times.
As the young boy becomes a man, he grows disillusioned with his work and his life. So, he returns to ask the old man to help him find The Present. The old man responds, “Only you have the power to find The Present for yourself.” Heeding the old man’s advice, the young man embarks on a worldwide search for this magical gift that remains unchanging in a changing world and holds the secret to personal happiness and lifelong success.
It is only after the young man has searched high and low and all but given up his relentless pursuit that he discovers The Present—and all of the promises it offers.
Do you get it? Living in the present is exactly what we’re called to do. Not so easy though.
And that’s the memo.
By Steve, an excerpt from our upcoming book, Embracing Brokenness
