Living For the Moment VS Living In the Moment

Sunday, we had a guest pastor that spoke at our church. His name is Reverend Ted Johnson. I have to mention his name because he was quite impressive; his preaching style was very personable, practical and relevant. He took an obscure topic and showed us how to apply it, practically, into our everyday lives. I don't know about you, but I need that kind of preaching everyday!

The scriptural reference was from Luke. It was the Parable of the Good Samaritan or as the preacher subtitled it "The One Who had Mercy". (If you are unfamiliar with the parable, it can be found at Luke 10:25).I wondered how the preacher man would tie together his lesson for the day with this parable. Heck, I wondered what kind of lesson he would have for us anyway--is there really a difference between living for the moment and living in the moment?

Indeed there is. And it isn't nearly quite as subtle as it sounds.

A person that lives for the moment is living for that moment that will be pleasing to themselves; whenever or whatever that moment may be. (Think of the employee that's looking forward to the weekend on Monday morning at 9:03 a.m.!) They miss what's going on around them because they are living for the moment that will make themselves happy. Or the moment that things will be easier for themselves. They are Me focused.
A person that is living in the moment is aware of what's going on around them. They are sensitive to the needs of others and willing to put aside their moment, to help someone else in theirs. They are WE focused.

For example, in the parable, a man was beaten, robbed and left for dead on the side of the road. A priest and a Levite passed him by. Both prominent men in their cultures, just left him there half dead, on the side of the road. Maybe they were in a hurry. Maybe it would have been an inconvenience. Maybe they thought they were too important to help. Maybe it just wasn't their problem. Whatever the case, they were living FOR their moment.

On the other hand, the Samaritan, who, by the way, was looked down upon in that culture, stopped, bandaged the man's wounds, took him to an inn, paid for his room and paid the innkeeper to take care of him. The Samaritan, I'm sure, was also on his way, somewhere. The road they were traveling was a dangerous road--it had to be a little scary for him. Getting the guy to the inn on his donkey couldn't have been easy. He helped him anyway. He was living IN the moment.
The preacher gave us at least 7 points to ponder regarding this lesson. He was really good. I'm usually lost after 3.
Real quick--here are three that I think relate most to our business lives:

Every Moment is an Opportunity
Have you ever had a conversation with a prospect and missed the entire conversation because you were thinking of the next thing YOU would say? I have. Unfortunately, numerous times. That's amateurish. I'm beginning to believe that listening is an acquired skill! I wonder how many opportunities I've missed because I was focused on my moment, rather than my clients.

The Next Moment isn't Promised
We never know what's being placed in front of us. How many times have we been asked for help by someone and we looked the other way because it wouldn't benefit us. Always err on the side of mercy! If we are given an opportunity and miss it because we are living for OUR moment, we may never get a chance at that opportunity again.

There is a Bigger Picture
The Network Marketing industry gives all of us the awesome chance to provide someone with the opportunity to earn an unlimited income, regardless of their circumstances or background. In short, it is a privilege. What we have here is bigger than you. It is bigger than me. The great thing is, we are all included. By keeping site of the bigger picture, we all win in the end.

Jesus ended the parable with a question. "Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?" The expert in law replied "The one who had mercy on him."
Jesus told him "Go and do likewise."

Ginger Jones
therealginger.com