Written by Cindy Smith
We recently experienced a beautiful, snow-filled January. Yes, the roads were treacherous and multiple times of cleaning out the driveway was tiring. Did you pause and look at the snowflakes as they fell and landed on your glove? They were exquisite. In the evening the quiet and stillness outside was so peaceful. During those couple days, when travel was minimal, it was a good time to pause and look at the wonder God created.
The Bible tells of God’s creation. Genesis 1:31 “God saw everything that He had made and behold it was very good.” He made the land, water, and all living creatures. Have you seen the beautiful and delicate flowers He has made? Have you seen the bizarre looking creatures that live in the bottom of the sea? What about the faithfulness of the seasons changing? We are blessed to have all these good things to enjoy.
In order to reflect on the beauty of creation, we must learn to pause. We all have busy lives that continually catapult us into the next day, week, and month while still only capable of living one day at a time. “Take time to smell the Roses” is a cliché that we have heard; but do we? We all get caught up in our life’s situations, both good and not so good. We often say: “I just don’t have time”. That is why we need to take time for our mind, body, and soul.
Meditation is to think deeply or focus one mind for a period of time. It is reflecting on God’s mercies that are new every morning. This can be done in silence or in grateful prayer to our Heavenly Father. Our great God that made the universe cares about us. He put such detail and care into His creation, we can trust Him to take care of us, the pinnacle of creation. Psalms 145:9 “The Lord is good to all: and His tender mercies are over all His works”.
Thinking on the good things of God will re-adjust our thinking. Philippians 4:8 “Finally brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue and if there be any praise, think of these things. Life can be overwhelming and anxieties can make us sick. When we try and figure problems out using our own strength or mental acuity, we will fail. Turn to God, meditate on His promises and look on His creation. He is a great God. Job 36:26 “Behold, God is great”. Reflect on His promises, meditate on all He has done for you and what He will continue to do for you.
Look and think of His power when you see a thunderstorm, when you see a flower that blooms overnight, the squirrel gathering nuts for the winter, a tiny bird hatching from an egg, or the beautiful sunset that settles in the west every night. You will be revitalized in the power of God when you pause and think on all His mighty works. Meditate, reflect on the power of God and His creation and the peace that passes understanding will help and keep your heart and mind.