I had to make a late-night run to Bloomington last week – my old stomping grounds. Seventeen years of my life were spent living there (26 if you count commuting for employment), and they were really good years. They included: college life, meeting my wife-to-be, baptism, major spiritual formation, a strong church home & family, a great company to work for, a solid local economy, and a bright future. Everywhere I went that night I was looking for someone I once knew. And for a fleeting moment…I started to miss it.

But, it didn’t take long for me to get over those feelings. First of all, I didn’t see anyone I knew! Wait a minute, this was MY town (back in the day)!! Guess what, Bloomington-Normal has changed, just like everything else. Then I made a conscious shift in my focus to the blessings of today and the hope I have in God’s future for me, my family, and our church. God specifically led us OUT of Bloomington and eventually IN to the East Peoria area. And I am eternally grateful for it.

It’s interesting. Back in those “glory days” (when they were the present as opposed to the past), I can recall looking back fondly to the days before them, what would have been that present’s past. Aren’t we funny that way? It seems to be in our nature to glamorize the past. It takes a conscious effort to see the incredible value of TODAY and to actively seek the FUTURE God has in store for us.

Most of my readers know the journey my family and church have been traveling. We are a year out now from our very first Richwoods Christian Church East Campus pre-launch service in East Peoria’s Central Junior High School (December 5, 2010). It’s hard to believe it! None of this would have happened but for the grace of God, the vision of Richwoods’ leadership, and the embracing of that vision by people with a heart for helping people find and follow Christ on this side of the Illinois river. Reflecting on this over the past week has been a true blessing.

Take an intentional moment or two in the coming weeks. Reflect a bit on what God has done in your life. But then, spend some really good energy looking around at what he is doing RIGHT NOW. The day will come when you will look back on your present days with great fondness, maybe even wishing you were back at this point. I would encourage you to enjoy it now, while you’re here. Don’t look around for people you used to know. Look around for people you DO know, and those that you want to get to know better – the people God has put in your path today.

Doing so will both make today better and provide a wonderful foundation for your future. I can’t promise you what that future will look like, but I can promise you this: It will be different. And it will be GREAT!

Let’s do this thing called Life – together. Thank you, Lord, for the privilege.