You see, when I envision myself stopping to smell the roses, I do see myself appreciating the beauty of life, but there's only one problem I see with this vision. It's all about ME!
I would say that I am a go-getter, a "never say no" girl that wants to please everyone around me by doing. I've been taught by the world that to maintain this level of good works insanity, I must take time to stop and smell the roses so I can rejuvenate myself to keep going. It is a vicious cycle that appears to be getting me no where but worse off.
After recently taking a trip to Thailand with my family, my eyes were opened to a brand new understanding of this phrase, one that drop kicks the me right out of the serene picture I once painted in my mind.
What if we look at this phrase as Jesus would have? It may still share some similarities to the above mentioned definition: taking time out of one's busy schedule, enjoy or appreciate the beauty of life, however, I see no me in this selfless picture. Let's look at what God's view might be on this subject.
Acts 20:35
"In everything I showed you that by working hard in this manner you must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'"
Ephesians 6:5-7
Slaves, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in the sincerity of your heart, as to Christ; not by way of eye service, as men-pleasers, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart. With good will render service, as to the Lord, and not to men,
1 Peter 4:10-11
As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. Whoever speaks, let him speak, as it were, the utterances of God; whoever serves, let him do so as by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Matthew 5:14-16
"You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. "Nor do men light a lamp, and put it under the peck-measure, but on the lampstand; and it gives light to all who are in the house. "Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
Philippians 2:1-4
If therefore there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind let each of you regard one another as more important than himself; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.
Taking time to stop and smell the roses is really all about people. Some of you may be thinking that serving is still doing and therefore not really stopping, but I've found that we have gotten so busy doing and moving and bustling around looking busy, that we have completely forgotten about serving God through relationship and community.
I recently had a conversation with someone about the simple question, "How are you doing?" We ask this question in passing ALL the time, but no matter how things are really going in our life, what is the typical answer? "I'm fi n e..," our voice fading as we quickly keep walking away from the person we were passing. I was under the impression that when someone asked me this question, they really wanted to know the answer. Why would you ask that if you had no intentions of hearing how I really am doing?
I'm guilty though. Guilty of being or making myself look so busy that I can't stop and enjoy the relationship of the people around me, maintaining love, uniting in spirit, being a light. I've read Matthew 5:14-16 a million times, but I think I always got stuck on "that they may see your good works." I have been so worried about people seeing my good works, that I've completely abandoned the most important lesson that Jesus wanted us to see. IT'S NOT ABOUT ME! It's about God. It's about enjoying and appreciating HIS CREATION, His marvelous beauty, His people that He intricately designed and molded and formed and then giving Him the glory for it.
As I mentioned earlier, our family just recently spent two weeks in Thailand and the entire time we were there, we were immersed in "stopping to smell the roses." We spent hours upon hours sitting in a room, sharing God's word and loving on His creations, appreciating the breathtaking beauty of the hearts of those who so desperately needed the relationship God had invited us in together. I just didn't realize that I too was in desperate need of that relationship as well.
After being home for a week, I realize that maintaining this slower pace and stopping to smell the roses is a difficult task for the life that we have created for ourselves, but if we don't do something to change it, we are not only missing out on some true blessings that God has waiting right here for us, but we are also disobeying His commands of loving others.
Less of me and more of you, loving others, serving true
Busy lives, full of strife, take away from giving life
Worried more for time for me, bound by chains the worldly see
Father change my heart today, stopping more along the way
Praying God's divine intervention as we all make bold sacrifices to stop and smell the roses His way. May God's blessings surround you always!
For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."
No comments:
Post a Comment