In the Moment
It’s a new year and once again, I sit at the computer with a hopeful and anticipatory heart. Yes, it’s 2024 and time for the leader of Beacon of Hope to cast vision into this upcoming year. This is the 6th year in a row that such a post has been made. It also is the first post that I start a little tongue in cheek. I say this, because last year’s vision did not exactly pan out the way I saw it.
But God, yes, but God showed up in a big way and our ministry was flooded with unexpected testimonies and miracles. (Just not what Kyle was expecting). In fact, I had 5 main expectations for 2023. And you know what happened? All 5, yes that is right, all 5 – did not happen. But God, and His mighty way shown through and our team at Beacon of Hope was blessed and our clients saw many victories.
What does this teach me for 2024? We should have goals and strive to meet them, but we need to allow God to drive the bus, captain the boat, steer the car, engineer the train, and fly the plane. So many things go better when we do not run ahead of God. We cannot lag behind, either. We must be in step with our God – He knows the way. Let’s get going and see what God is going to do in 2024!
Obedience is so important and I believe it is paired very well with faithfulness. Printed on my monthly reports to our board of directors (every month) is this: To be an obedient faithful follower of Jesus Christ that emulates integrity and servant leadership by utilizing the tools, talents, and abilities showered upon me by His great love, grace, and compassion. I consider this my personal mission.
Where does this start? How about right now in this very moment. Let’s all commit to being faithful obedient servants and start in this moment. You can only be in this moment right now, because as time passes you are just right here still in this moment. Even as you read one more line, yeah, right here in this moment. So, what are we to do in this moment? Be a faithful obedient servant. Step in God’s steps and serve the people around you.
So, I have one goal this year: Be in the moment. Let’s live with eyes open, ready for what God has for us. After all, as a therapist, or anybody for that matter, we can only be with the person we are with right now in this moment. It is impossible for us humans to be with our 2:00 client when its 1:35 and our 1:00 client is still in our office.
Let’s ask God to show us what matters and stay focused on this moment. Stay in the moment. Do not wake up tomorrow and wish you could go back. You get one shot at this moment. To steal (no pun intended, but it is funny) a line from the famous Harbaugh family, go out and tackle this moment with an enthusiasm unknown to mankind. We all have this moment to do just that.
God has something for each of us. For some it’s a change, for some its pushing through, for some its endurance, perseverance, or just a trust in His great love and plan. Stay focused, stay in the moment, keep your eyes open, and be open to God to show you what He has for you. What God has for us is better than anything we could ever imagine, so let’s stay in the moment to make sure we do not miss it. God is still working and He will keep working to complete the good work He started in us until Jesus comes. Take a moment and go look up Hebrews chapter 11. This chapter is a small snippet of the biblical Hall of Fame of Faith. But, do not stop at verse 40 – read chapter 12 verse one. It starts with, “Therefore”, and any time in Scripture you see a therefore you must ask what is this there for?
We should be encouraged by the faith of the past people of God, and run the race with endurance in this moment. God is in the race with us, keep up, do not lag behind, stay with Him; He will direct your paths; trust Him, and you will not be disappointed in this moment!
May we all experience God in this moment and be grateful for whatever comes our way in 2024! May you sense His presence and seek Him out as an obedient faithful servant.
In this moment,
Kyle Thompson EdD LPC
Executive Director
