Taking It to Work:
I have a self-diagnosis of two simultaneous conditions that hinder me greatly in appreciating all in which God has blessed me. I’m sharing this, because I just might not be alone!
What are those dual conditions? Tunnel Vision and Speeding Train Syndrome, neither of which help me to slow down enough to see the things that God is wanting me to see.
I was walking through the yard the other day, making a bee-line to my office to get some work done, when my wife stopped me to admire a small,singular purple iris. I had to backtrack twenty feet to see where she was pointing (as I had already pulled that far ahead of her in the walk). “They don’t bloom long,” she said. I stared for a few seconds, admiring not only the beauty of God’s creation, but admiring that consistent eye my wife has for the little blessings in our life. It’s typical, while I go speeding past, my mind already absorbed and blinded in the next task, she’s hearing the birds and smelling the roses. Don’t get me wrong, she gets a ton done, but she doesn’t miss the blessings around her while she’s doing it.
We may have a ton to do ourselves, especially in the sometimes chaotic world of work, but the Word reminds us today that there is more surrounding us than just our tasks. Although a strong sense of urgency is a great characteristic of a hard worker, we can be so focused on our to-do list that we are not appreciating the life in which we are blessed.
Paul reminds us in Philippians that we are to take the time to focus on the honorable, lovely, and excellent things around us. We’re to take the time to see the praiseworthy things: a steady paycheck, a good boss, a challenging assignment, maybe a great coworker, that last raise, or a possible new opportunity.
Some of us get the joy of working out in the fresh air, some of us are blessed more by the air-conditioning, or the little space heater when we need it. Whatever those blessings are that surround you, however you perceive God is supplying your life in the little ways today, take the time to let them enter your mind and thoughts. It doesn’t take that long to see His hand in all that surrounds you, and the thankfulness that will rise up in your heart will be a sweet fragrance, to you and Him, as His Word works in you, today.
Luke 10:41-42 (ESV) – “Martha, Martha,” the Lord replied, “you are worried and upset about many things. But only one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, and it will not be taken away from her.”
Phil 4:8 (ESV) – Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
Romans 12:2 (ESV) – Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Phil 4:19 (ESV) – And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
Listening to the Holy Spirit [Rhema]:
What do you see? The day I have given is gift again, but in normalcy lost. So blessed are My children, that they themselves surrounded and supported, without means to count, miss the very hand of the Father on them. Are you too missing the deep blessing of this day? Are you missing the life breathed in? Each day of the earth flees with little notice. Open again the eyes of the child of My creation. Within you there is still My child. Enjoy the pleasures I bring. See the good, for it still flourishes, even among thorns and thistles there is fruit still, splendor beyond the destruction. Look higher to My face. I am seen in the beauty placed before you. Breathe in My Spirit through all that is good that holds you. Be not conformed to this world, but be made free in My love, My provision for you, and your great value within My creation. Look not only on the drudgery, but lift up, that you might be refreshed.
