Living in the Blessed Now

“I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.”

2 Corinthians 6:2

Chris is a middle-aged man with Down’s syndrome who lives with his folks. He enjoys volunteering with Awana and taking part in various socials at church. And he’s blessed with an unusual gift: he doesn’t understand time. Every day, for Chris, is the same as the day before. 

I know it’s frustrating for Chris at times, but I call it a gift because every day is the day of salvation for Chris. A faithful churchgoer, Chris listens intently to the messages, whether they be light and whimsical or heavy on the fire and brimstone. And on days when a speaker gives a stirring invitation to join the family of God, Chris is usually heard to remark to a nearby elder after the service, “I accepted him today! I accepted him!” His face shines and his eyes overflow with joy. 

Skeptics would tell you Chris hasn’t got a clue as to what he’s doing. If he knew, they would argue, he’d realize how unnecessary it was to be saved more than once. Chris doesn’t see it that way. And God doesn’t, either. Both the Lord and Chris are able to enjoy that blessed gift of nowness. Every past moment of conviction of sin, for Chris, gets poured into the now. Every hope he has of heaven and of having a new body and mind gets poured into now. And the feeling is overwhelming for him. 

Some days I wish I could shed myself of time and live as Chris does—enjoying God’s sense of nowness. I know I’ve been called to build upon and move past the foundation of salvation, but to recall those broken and tender moments of joy for the first time—that would be blessed.

Father, creator of time, suspend for me this moment my history and my future. Let me enjoy, for just now, what it was like to enter your favor for the first time. Grant me that joyful bliss of heaven today.