The degree to which we learn to see God in the beauty all around us is the degree of true enjoyment we experience in life. For example:
1. The stars are nice to look. The more we see them as speaking of God’s greatness and perfection, the more truly enjoyable they become. Psalms 19:1-2
2. We have a nice cat. When we see this as God’s creation, with beautiful fur for us to touch, and a quirky personality for us to observe, and we realize God created it for us to enjoy, it becomes much more than just a nice cat.
3. Eating good food is very enjoyable. God gave our bodies apetites and taste buds. He planned for how we should enjoy caring for our bodies. The more we realize this, the more capacity we have to enjoy eating and snacking and exercising.
4. God has given us all families, or placed us in families. To the degree we see these people as gifts from God, complete with a uniques set of quirks and baggage picked up along the way, to this same degree our capacity to enjoy and appreciate them increases. We are all created in God’s image.
At one time I was convinced that a Christian life was a black and white world. Our job was to endure until the end. We would only start enjoying life again in heaven. I could not have been more mistaken. After I recommitted my life to live for God, no matter what the cost, I remember a surprising realization, “Food tastes better!” Life was richer. Seeing God in every part of our world is to enter the magazine photos and go to 3D video. I am sure we are only experiencing the first drops of rain. To quote Elijah, “A terrific rainstorm is on the way”.
Jesus promised in Luke 18:30 two things: a much richer life in this age AND… “in the age to come, eternal life.” In John 10:10b Jesus makes the claim again, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.“
If your life feels like you are in a boat tied to the shore, cut the rope. Abandon yourself to following Jesus and see what happens. Worst case scenario you still have eternal life. Who knows? Your life might just get a lot richer and more enjoyable.
That was just what i needed to hear right now thanks Rick