A friend, Kaitlyn Wolff, just posted this status on Facebook: 

11 days before 11n11 ends. #alotof11s #happysadbittersweet

I can (almost) count to 11 on both hands. It brings things into perspective huh? People, and by people I really mean girls, have been posting on Facebook left and right their gratitude for friendships they've developed on the Race, people they will miss; a grieving of seasons. I can imagine what that status would have said prior to the race. '11 days before 11in11 begins #alotof11s #stoked #beyondexcited'.

There's something to be said about the anticipation of an upcoming event, a specific day. It's the buildup that makes that day or experience so special and unique. Most of the time, I personally discover the climax of that occasion to be less than that of the anticipation. Maybe I've been so engrossed in this notion of not having expectations. It's numbed me to the excitement of what's to come, as well as the grief of what I'm about to lose. But nostalgia remedies anesthesia of the heart.

The irony of time is no new concept. We are impatient with time in the expectancy of something novel and adventurous. We take deep breaths to calm ourselves, somehow hoping time is tied with our heart rate as the conclusion of a journey approaches. We mentally replay our favorite parts of life, wishing to transport ourselves back to those euphoric moments. We wish we could fast forward through the pains and the hurts and just learn the lessons on the other side. Our culture pokes fun at humanity's separate, but similar attempts to gain some sort of savvy control in the river of time.

Whether it's the giddy anticipation or the sweetness of memory, we rob ourselves of the joy of today. Thinking of what's to come or remembering what has passed isn't inherently detrimental. Everything is good in moderation. But there's too much to be enjoyed now to be frozen by the nostalgic past or the hopeful future. Believers intellectually know this; yet we functionally don't live it. United Pursuit pens the lyrics, 'Why wait for tomorrow when I can have You today?'. A "World Race-ism": The grass is greener here and now. Paul writes to the church of Corinth, Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation!

The irony of time is a perpetual false idol of my heart; a continual belief that another period of time, which is intrinsically followed by different people, places, and things (it brings a whole new set of nouns!), is better than the here and now.
So untrue.

Praise be to the infinite God who resides outside of time to satisfy my limited heart overly and abundantly in every present moment!