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.

Appreciation Station

I always thank my God for you and for the gracious gifts he has given you, now that you belong to Christ Jesus.  Through him, God has enriched your church in every way—with all of your eloquent words and all of your knowledge.  This confirms that what I told you about Christ is true.  Now you have every spiritual gift you need as you eagerly wait for the return of our Lord Jesus Christ.  1 Corinthians 1:4-7

The other day, someone asked me how do you stay young?  That’s a pretty loaded question considering that I will soon turn fifty, but nonetheless, I took it as an opportunity to share some of the things that have helped me maintain a youthful attitude.  One of those things focused on the appreciation of others.  Why would that be important to my own youthfulness?  You see, it is very easy to focus on the things that go on in your own life.  However when you focus on the wonderful and brilliance of others, you go beyond affecting your own life.  You directly impact the mood and ambitions of someone else as well.  There is nothing more powerful to say to another person than I love you, and yet, I believe there is nothing more motivating to another person than to say, “I appreciate you.”

God expects us to appreciate the potential of all people through Jesus Christ.  When reading the words of Paul, I love how great an encourager he is.  At the beginning of 1 Corinthians, he displayed an ‘attitude of gratitude’ to the church of Corinth and its people.  Reading his words, you have the feeling of a deep relationship he has with them.  Paul shows genuine love and appreciation for them, and if we were members of that early church, we would feel a great deal of encouragement and strength from him.  Furthermore, Paul himself gained strength from them as well.  Thus, the relationship between Paul and the church was mutually beneficial.  As such, our words of appreciation for others have similar effects.  They can strengthen relationships, inspire others, and break down barriers!  What can be more encouraging to a person struggling with something than to hear they are loved and despite their struggles, they are appreciated for what they have brought in your life.

We are to appreciate others for it is paramount to building God’s Kingdom.  Peter, who correctly identified Jesus as the Messiah, had to feel encouraged as Jesus responded to him in appreciation saying, “You are blessed, Simon son of John, because my Father in heaven has revealed this to you. You did not learn this from any human being.  Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means ‘rock’), and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it.” (Matthew 16:17-18)  Appreciating others is necessary for and if we accept and love Christ, our hearts will be transformed such that we will see the greatness of not only others but also within ourselves.  And what can be better than seeing how great we can be through Christ?  Who could you show greater appreciation for?  How can you allow God to help you appreciate others?  My prayer is that we open our hearts where we become an ‘Appreciation Station.’  Amen.