The current season of my life is very chaotic to put it mildly. Temper tantrums, screaming baby, dirty dishes, laundry to be sorted. However, if I look around me, there are beautiful things all around me. My wife’s smile, both of my sons’ enthusiasm for life. My cat playing with her toys. Sun peeking through the window. There is wonder to be found in them, beautiful things I often miss.
This is why this song “The Beautiful Things We Miss” is impactful and speaks to me. It speaks to me me about the importance of being present in the life of my family, but also just enjoying the gifts God has given me to the fullest. It is so easy when I am stressed out from a hard day at work, or from taking care of the kids, to go into the world of my phone. A world where I can emotionally check out and have no responsibility. However, I don’t want my quest for escape to keep me away from seeing the glory of God all around me. I want to love and invest in my family and friends, but most of all, experience the freedom that comes from seeing all of life as a gift of God’s marvelous grace.
Time is a precious commodity that we must not take for granted. This is a concept that is repeated through Scriptures, but we can see it in a different lense in Ephesians 5:15-17. In Ephesians 5:15- 17, Paul says, “Be very careful, then, how you live, not as unwise, but as wise, making the most of your time, , because the days are evil.” Paul could have used another Greek word for time, that indicated day by day, hour by hour.” (David Guzik- Enduring Word Commentary)However, Paul uses a Greek word that indicates “ a definite portion of time, a time where something should happen. Paul is saying not to make most “of time”, but to make most of “the time” (Guzik, Enduring Word Commentary).
What does this all mean for us in everyday living? It means for us to take advantage of the moments that make life beautiful. The opportunity to play silly games with your kids and grandkids. The opportunity to watch movies with your wife. The opportunity to teach a young boy how to throw a spiral at a local high school. The opportunities are endless. However, most of all, it means living life in light of eternity, living in a posture of dependence on Jesus. It is only then it is possible to live life humbly at the feet of Jesus, not missing out on the beautiful things God wants to show you every step of the way through this amazing adventure called life.
Prayer: Lord, we want to live life in such a way we will not miss out on the beautiful things of life. We want to love our kids deeply and wholeheartedly. To dance and run and play without abandon. Help us to have faith like children, that we may embrace the time you have given us, as we live life with You. In your name, we pray Amen.
Comments