You have today.

Question | Who’s your favorite famous person?

I know I'm supposed to be an adult, but I still get really excited about certain famous people. 

Whether it's a famous athlete, YouTuber, Instagram influencer, or movie star, who's your favorite famous person? 

Activity | Say That to My Face

IT’S EASY TO COMPARE

I don't know about you, but a lot of the famous people I admire have lives, opportunities, qualities, and possessions that I kind of wish I had.

Whether it's a famous athlete, YouTuber, Instagram influencer, or movie star, part of the reason we love to follow these people is that we wish we were like them in some way.

Maybe we want to be like these people in a good way. Maybe they inspire us because of their character, values, intelligence, or skill. But sometimes we want to be like people for ways that aren't so healthy. Maybe we compare ourselves to them and think, "If only I could . .

"Dress more like them."

"Have as much money as they have."

"Have a body or face like theirs."

"Be as talented or connected as they are.”

We might think, "If only I could have what that person has, then maybe I'd be more lovable or valuable than I am."

I get it — it's human to compare ourselves with others, to worry about how we measure up, and to want to be loved and liked.

This month, we want to help you think about who you are in a new way. We want to help you focus less on what you think you don't have so you can better see what you already have.

In the last week, what’s one way you’ve seen yourself or someone else compare themselves with others?

How has comparing yourself with others either hurt you or helped you?

Story |

Last week we talked about the first thing each of us has, and why that thing is so valuable. You have a past. 

We said your past has helped shape you into who you are today, but that your past doesn't have to define you. You have today, and your today is valuable, if you choose to let God use it.

But it's not always easy to focus on today or be present in the moment. Sometimes we get stuck re-living the exciting or embarrassing parts of our past.

 we spend all our time dreaming or worrying about the future.

We spend too much time focusing on what happened in the past or what could happen in the future, we miss out on the opportunity to engage with what God has for us right now.

Discussion |

What’s one way you sometimes get stuck in the past, instead of living in the present?

What’s one way you sometimes get stuck thinking about the future, instead of living in the present?

Scripture |

Last week we introduced you to a Hebrew man named Moses. If you remember, he was supposed to be killed as a baby by the Egyptian government, but instead he was adopted by the pharaoh's family— the same rulers who had tried to kill him and had enslaved his people. When Moses grew up, he killed a man who was abusing a Hebrew slave, and then fled the country. Let's pick up the story where we left off.

Exodus 3:1–14 ESV

1 Now Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian, and he led his flock to the west side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. 2 And the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush. He looked, and behold, the bush was burning, yet it was not consumed. 3 And Moses said, “I will turn aside to see this great sight, why the bush is not burned.” 4 When the Lord saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.” 5 Then he said, “Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.” 6 And he said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God. 7 Then the Lord said, “I have surely seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters. I know their sufferings, 8 and I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land to a good and broad land, a land flowing with milk and honey, to the place of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites. 9 And now, behold, the cry of the people of Israel has come to me, and I have also seen the oppression with which the Egyptians oppress them. 10 Come, I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring my people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt.” 11 But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?” 12 He said, “But I will be with you, and this shall be the sign for you, that I have sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain.” 13 Then Moses said to God, “If I come to the people of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ what shall I say to them?” 14 God said to Moses, “I am who I am.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I am has sent me to you.’ ”

Moses was being asked to partner with God to free the Israelites (Moses' own people) from the Egyptians' enslavement. 

Moses' past lined up perfectly with what God was calling him to do in that moment. The Israelites were Moses' people, but Moses also had a relationship with the Egyptian rulers, thanks to his childhood. With this invitation, God was letting Moses know his past could be redeemed.

But it's clear from his excuses and questions that Moses was too stuck in the past and future to see the opportunity God had for him in the present.

I'm guessing Moses felt some regret about his past — after all, he did kill a guy — as well as some fear about his future — what would happen if he returned to Egypt?

Exodus 3:15–4:5 ESV

15 God also said to Moses, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘The Lord, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you.’ This is my name forever, and thus I am to be remembered throughout all generations. 16 Go and gather the elders of Israel together and say to them, ‘The Lord, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, has appeared to me, saying, “I have observed you and what has been done to you in Egypt, 17 and I promise that I will bring you up out of the affliction of Egypt to the land of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites, a land flowing with milk and honey.” ’ 18 And they will listen to your voice, and you and the elders of Israel shall go to the king of Egypt and say to him, ‘The Lord, the God of the Hebrews, has met with us; and now, please let us go a three days’ journey into the wilderness, that we may sacrifice to the Lord our God.’ 19 But I know that the king of Egypt will not let you go unless compelled by a mighty hand. 20 So I will stretch out my hand and strike Egypt with all the wonders that I will do in it; after that he will let you go. 21 And I will give this people favor in the sight of the Egyptians; and when you go, you shall not go empty, 22 but each woman shall ask of her neighbor, and any woman who lives in her house, for silver and gold jewelry, and for clothing. You shall put them on your sons and on your daughters. So you shall plunder the Egyptians.” 1 Then Moses answered, “But behold, they will not believe me or listen to my voice, for they will say, ‘The Lord did not appear to you.’ ” 2 The Lord said to him, “What is that in your hand?” He said, “A staff.” 3 And he said, “Throw it on the ground.” So he threw it on the ground, and it became a serpent, and Moses ran from it. 4 But the Lord said to Moses, “Put out your hand and catch it by the tail”—so he put out his hand and caught it, and it became a staff in his hand— 5 “that they may believe that the Lord, the God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has appeared to you.”

Exodus 3:15-

In the end Moses didn't feel equipped to do what God was asking him to do. But do you see what God asks? "What's in your hand?"

 I don't know exactly what God is asking you to do today. Maybe God is asking you to take a risk, or to be obedient, or to change a habit in your life. Maybe you're not sure what God is asking you to do just yet. But whatever God is asking you to do today . . . 

Could it be that God has already given you the tools you need to do it?

Could God use you just as you are, right now, with what you have, to make a difference?

Could God be saying to you, "You are ready, you are called, and you are enough, right here and now"?

Discussion |

What’s one part of Moses’ story you can relate to, and why?

What’s one thing you think God is asking you to do that you haven’t done yet? Why haven’t you done it?

Scripture |

Whether you follow Jesus or not, I'm guessing you know what it's like to feel stuck when you should really be focusing on taking your next step.

Maybe you're focused on the past, wishing you'd made different decisions or regretting things you've said or done.

If that's you, listen to what the apostle Paul writes about how Jesus redeems us from our past and prepares us for everything God has for us.

Ephesians 2:4–10 ESV

4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— 6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Through Jesus, you are God's masterpiece! Your past is made new through Him, your sins are erased through Him, and now God invites you to join Him on a mission today.

Or maybe you're focused on the future, thinking you still have a long ways to go before God can use you, or that you're not old enough, ready enough, or allowed to do something meaningful today.

If that's you, listen to what John writes about the kind of life Jesus came to give us.

John 10:10 ESV

10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

John

Both right now and into eternity, the enemy tries to steal from you, but Jesus came to give you a full and abundant life. He invites you to join Him in that kind of life — not someday, but today.

Let me tell you some truths about today.

Today, God loves you — just as you are. 

Today, you are exactly who you need to be in order to be used by God. Does that mean you've got it all together? No. But God can still use you.

Today, you are exactly where you need to be in order to be used by God. Have you made some mistakes or lost your way? Yes. But God can still use you.

Today, you have everything you need in order to do what God is inviting you to do.

Today, you have another chance to know Jesus and to live for Him.

You have today, and today is a gift. So take it!

Reflection |

I believe God is calling you to do something with Him and for Him today. But sometimes, before we need to hear God tell us what to do, we need to hear God tell us who we are.

Can you imagine how your life would change if you believed God loved you just as you are, right now, today? If you truly believed you were loved . . .

What would change?

What would you start doing?

What would you stop doing?

How would you see or treat yourself differently?

How would you see or treat others differently?

Would you start to treat today like the gift that it is?

How would you see or treat others differently?Would you start to treat today like the gift that it is?

Psalm 139 ESV

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. 1 O Lord, you have searched me and known me! 2 You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. 3 You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. 4 Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, you know it altogether. 5 You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. 6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it. 7 Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? 8 If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! 9 If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, 10 even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me. 11 If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light about me be night,” 12 even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you. 13 For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. 14 I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. 15 My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. 16 Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them. 17 How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! 18 If I would count them, they are more than the sand. I awake, and I am still with you. 19 Oh that you would slay the wicked, O God! O men of blood, depart from me! 20 They speak against you with malicious intent; your enemies take your name in vain. 21 Do I not hate those who hate you, O Lord? And do I not loathe those who rise up against you? 22 I hate them with complete hatred; I count them my enemies. 23 Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! 24 And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!

Today is a gift from God, but you won't be able to fully live the abundant life God has for you if you're not fully convinced of God's deep love for you.

In a world where we constantly compare ourselves with others, it can be difficult to believe that you are valuable and loved just as you are. But you are! You are valuable and loved, just as you are, right here and now.

At an age when you're still trying to figure out who you are, what you can do, and what your future holds, it can be difficult to believe you can make a difference in the world right now. But you can! You can do something for God and for others with the tools you've already been given.

You have today, and your today is valuable. So what will you do with it?