Reclaiming Today
Sep 04, 2025
“The enemy prompts us to commit sin today and labor for virtue tomorrow. He does not openly advise us to move away from God, but he steals today from us, and leaves our hopes for tomorrow…Thus endlessly, by using the bait of pleasure to secure the present and leaving our hopes for tomorrow, without realizing it he takes us away from life.”
-Hieromonk Gregorios, Repentance and Confession
Oh, how true this is! At least for me. And how effective! If the temptations were loud and obvious: “Reject your faith, destroy your health, and abandon your deepest values," I would stand my ground to defend what matters most to me. This cunning strategy of constantly delaying my efforts to nurture my soul, mind, body, and relationships is far more subtle and insidious.
Have you ever noticed the intense feelings of resistance that arise when contemplating:
- Waking up earlier for time with God or praying before bed
- Examining your heart for sins of pride and turning to the sacrament of confession for healing
- Putting your phone down and staying on task
- Actively listening instead of voicing your opinions or reacting from your ego
- Eating healthy, exercising, prioritizing wellness
- Taking an action step towards a goal that’s been burning in your heart
- Tackling that mess and clutter
- Forgiving someone who has offended or hurt you
- Fully engaging with the present moment
Recognizing that resistance for what it is can awaken us from the stupor of distractedness meant to “steal the day away from us."
Without prayerful vigilance and self-discipline, we will repeatedly fall prey to life-draining stagnation. However, with God’s help and our renewed determination, we can lock back in and begin again to experience the fruitfulness of seizing this day and being intentional about becoming better stewards of our time and blessings.
On the other side of resistance, there is contagious hope, joy, light, health, and renewal! The effort to get unstuck and seek first the Kingdom of God is 1000% worth it!
Lord have mercy, I am listening! Please guide me, heal me, transform me, and strengthen my resolve to trust and obey TODAY!
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