If you decide for God, living a life of God-worship, it follows that you don't fuss about what's on the table at mealtimes or whether the clothes in your closet are in fashion. There is far more to your life than the food you put in your stomach, more to your outer appearance than the clothes you hang on your body. Look at the birds, free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description, careless in the care of God. And you count far more to him than birds. (Matthew 5: 25-26, Message)
I watched children, of all ages, playing in a pile of leaves. Each one seemed to be weightless, falling into the gold and orange leaves, laughing as they buried themselves under the leaf piles. While most people take a few moments to enjoy the changing colors of the leaves, few individuals take the time to experience the feel and textures of the falling leaves.
Why? Most individuals are more focused on the details of living rather than enjoying the gift of their life. Do you take time to enjoy your life?
Seriously, we live in an era with seriously . . . fussy. . . worried . . . anxious . . . cranky . . . unhappy people. It is easy to let the problems of this world consume us. Because of technology, we engage with the problems by simply turning on a computer or cell phone or television with visual and oral reports. While awareness of what others are going through is a vital component to a Christ-follower caring for others, we need to balance life with the freedom to enjoy it. The Message translates Jesus to say we are not to “fuss” about the details of living, particularly when it comes to the personal details of our own life. We need to take time to enjoy the gift of life.
How do we avoid fussing and enjoy life on a daily basis?
According to Christ Jesus we need to intentionally refuse to fuss about the details of life, meaning we are to refuse worry . . . refuse fretting . . . refuse anxiety . . . refuse nagging God for what we do not have and giving thanks for life itself. Rather than fuss . . . intentionally take breaks during the day . . . say thank you to God and enjoy your day. I mean . . . what would happen if we intentionally enjoy a portion of daily life? It does make sense that the gift of life is to be enjoyed.
Release . . . let go of the tension . . . intentionally refuse to fuss.
Choose a God-worship lifestyle.
Give thanks for the gift of life.
Enjoy the life God has given you.
Learning with you to enjoy life,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2007 All Rights Reserved)
