Stop, Pause, and Reflect

Then God said, “Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us. They will reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the livestock, all the wild animals on the earth, and the small animals that scurry along the ground.”

So God created human beings in his own image.
    In the image of God he created them;
    male and female he created them.

Then God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth and govern it. Reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, and all the animals that scurry along the ground.”

Then God said, “Look! I have given you every seed-bearing plant throughout the earth and all the fruit trees for your food.  And I have given every green plant as food for all the wild animals, the birds in the sky, and the small animals that scurry along the ground—everything that has life.” And that is what happened.

Then God looked over all he had made, and he saw that it was very good!  Genesis 1:26-31

My father was a very active person well into his early 70’s when he suffered a stroke.  It was then that his life slowed down enough to appreciate those things around him.  He got to enjoy his home but more importantly he shared wisdom and love with his children and grandchildren.   Those times were the things he talked about the most and he enjoyed them until his passing.  I reflected on that realizing that I need to stop and enjoy more of the world around me as the world I live in is a fast paced one.  We are told not to be content with where we are but instead to grow and push for greater achievement.  We must do more with less and to be better is not the exception but instead the norm.  In a world where the expectation is already high and our best yesterday becomes today’s ‘not enough,’ it becomes very easy to lose focus on all that is around you.  Now I am not saying this is a bad thing for growth (especially spiritual growth) is a good thing and pushing ourselves to continually do better is what we should do.  What I am trying to say is maybe I need take time to stop, pause, and reflect on what God has surrounded me with.  When I do, I realize just how good God is!

It is important that we take time to appreciate all of what God has both given us and created around us.  In a fast paced world, it can be difficult to slow down.  We often focus so much on achievement that we miss the progress that has occurred.  In reading the beginning of Genesis, I took time to notice that as God created all things, He would pause and reflect on what was done.  He looked over everything, and no doubt appreciated it.  Our goal is to look the world around us and see all of the beauty He has put into it.  Whether it be land, sea, plants, material, or the lives of others, God has blessed us with so much!  It is important we take time out each and every day to appreciate it for if we do not, we fall prey to being in that ‘never enough’ state that can lead to our never finding contentment.

We are God’s greatest creation.  While that could be a source of a greater sense of meaning, it should be a source of great appreciation.  Appreciating is something we should all take time out to do for the greater appreciation we have for all that God has put around us, the more we are walking in His footsteps.  Let us focus on finding God’s beauty in the world each and every day for if we do, we will often find not only the beauty of others but also within yourself.  What are the beautiful things and people in your world that you need to appreciate more of?  How can you better see beauty through God’s eyes?  My prayer is that in a world that is often moving too fast, we stop, pause, and reflect on the beauty God puts before us each and every day.  Amen.