When I was growing up many of the roads in Chattanooga were one way. The main roadways in and out of downtown Chattanooga could be traveled in only one direction. A few years ago the mayor changed all that. All those major arteries in and out of town are now two-way streets.
It seems strange to travel those roads in the directions that I was programmed were the "wrong way." Last weekend I rode down one of those streets. As my husband drove I was careful to notice my surroundings. For over fifty years I saw those houses, churches, schools, businesses, and people from one point of view. That night I learned to see them in a different way. There are things you just don't notice until you turn around and go the other direction.
The same is true in so much of life. We habitually do the same things over and over and over again. At certain restaurants I always order the same thing. Clothing is usually in shades of blue, pink, or black. If I head for the beach, Tybee is the place. Ice cream? Ninety-nine percent of the time it's chocolate of some sort. Always the same. Sure, there's a little variety. I have a green top I don't wear much. Occassionally I order a waffle cone. Not much variety, and not often.
So, in church I have started sitting in a different place every week. It's become a joke, really. My husband comes into the sanctuary and looks around to see where I have landed for the day. People in the room have starting pointing him in the right direction. Funny. Thinking about it now, though, I realize that we have begun sitting on the same side, on the same few pews, for about a month now. I'll have to do something radical this week and move to the other side...maybe on the back row!
As I think about my walk with Christ, I am understanding that my routines and habits have limited not only what He can do through me but also the things I have been missing. Sadly, I have been looking at life from one direction. I've missed out on the many of the little surprises God has placed in my path because I have been so focused on traveling to Point B that I haven't even noticed some of the beautiful blessings that I have hurried past.
What stood out to me most as I saw rode down that street from the opposite direction was the beautiful art projects someone has been painted on the sides of buildings. Houses looked different because I could see the beautiful flower gardens that were tucked away in a hidden corner. There is a church at one intersection that I have missed because it sits back off the road behind a house when I am coming from the other way.
In all this rambling, what I am trying to say is this: I think we need to focus more on where we are today in our life journey than on the busyness of getting the job done. In other words, we need to stop and smell the roses. Stop and enjoy the people you are rushing by. Stand still for a few minutes, turn around in a circle, take in ALL of the things surrounding you.
God's promises to bless us abundantly. Personally, I don't want to be in such a hurry that I miss out on the beauty of what He has planned for me today. What about you? Will you slow down, look around, and take notice of the things you have been missing?
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