There are two classic mistakes we make as we perceive our circumstances.

The first is we treat the current twist and turn as eternal. "It will always be like this" is our heart’s refrain. We elevate our current situation to god-like status. It is omniscient and omnipotent. We serve the circumstance rather than God because we believe it to be the divine force. Whatever is happening to us is in control rather than God being in control.

The journey of life is an epic adventure. The things we do, have, and experience affect the rest of the journey. Our current reality is a preparation for what is around the corner, so that we aren’t just traversing but progressing along the way.

The second mistake we make is related. We miss the beauty of this moment because we are looking ahead. We want the future to solve our problems and we miss the value of the present. We fail to notice that the choices we make today shape what will happen next.

Like the Kingdom of God, the journey of life is something we are to fully participate in AND hope for a better future. Making the most of our journey includes experiencing the current opportunities for all they are worth, with a view toward what will come. Eternity is not just the future. It is the marriage of the present and the yet-to-be.

Each day, more of our eternal journey is being revealed to us. What choices will we make to make the most of today, both for what it is worth and for what is to come?