Which would you say is the most common human weakness?
A. Living unaware?
B. Greed?
C. Pride?
D. Selfishness?
According to pastor and author, Lou Guntzelman, the answer is A.*
Even twenty years ago when Guntzelman wrote his book, he saw many people living superficially, busily, and distractedly –moving too fast and focusing too much on insignificant matters.
Maybe those descriptors don’t apply to you. But I have been guilty on all counts.
And those of us who tend to fly through our days are at great risk of missing life.
We don’t see the unique qualities of the people around us.
We don’t hear the laughter of our children.
We don’t even think to take in deep gulps of rain-scented air, just for the pleasure of breathing.
We don’t taste and see God’s goodness in the world.
(Blackwater Falls, WV)
We don’t sense His presence.
But!
When we learn to engage the mind and especially the spirit in the moment at hand, we discover the splendor of God’s glory tucked into surprising places–right in front of us.
“The moment one gives close attention to anything,
even a blade of grass,
it becomes a mysterious, awesome,
indescribably magnificent world in itself.”
–Henry Miller
The obvious question is: how do we reprogram ourselves to live more aware?
Perhaps the first step is to condition our minds through quiet reflection.
In a place of solitude, we avail ourselves of his presence and redirect our attention from the day’s cares to God’s truth.
Sometimes that might include:
- Studying and contemplating scripture, open to a change of heart or a change of direction.
- Naming God’s attributes and celebrating how he’s demonstrated those attributes in our lives.
- Keeping a gratitude journal, to help us tune in to the positive. (It’s a transformative habit!)
- Reading books by thought-provoking Christian authors, then mentally processing their tenets, and seeking ways of application to life when appropriate.
The state of our minds affects our perception of everything.
Second, we condition our focus.
We determine to:
(Backyard beauties at our house,
on display the end of April)
- Appreciate more fully the natural wonders around us—even in the backyard, on the way to work, while running errands.
- Honor each person we meet with eye contact, smiles, and a kind word.
- Sift out the immaterial and apply ourselves to the important.
- Refuse pointless worry and find priceless treasure in scriptural reassurance and God’s inimitable peace.
- Pursue wholeness—the state of being perfectly well in body, soul (mind, will, and emotions) and spirit. That happens as we submit more and more to God’s perfect ways (Psalm 119:1-2).
And what will be the result?
Each day there will be the anticipation of discovery and delight, joyful praise and expectant hope. We’ll find ourselves speaking to God more and more often, and hearing his whispers in our hearts. We’ll experience greater satisfaction in life as we train our focus on him and savor his endless blessings.
Bottom line: We will live on the threshold of heaven.
* * * * * * * * * *
Oh, this is where I want to live, Father—on the precipice of your glory. Though responsibilities must be taken care of, I can still take note and inwardly digest all the beauty, blessings, discoveries, and lessons that you bring to my attention. Help me to live aware!
*Lou Guntzelman, So Heart and Mind Can Fill, St. Mary’s Press, 1998.
Art & photo credits: http://www.publicdomainpictures.net; http://www.commons.wikimedia.org; wwwpxhere.com; http://www.pixabay.com (2); http://www.commons.wikimedia.org; http://www.pxhere.com (2); http://www.pixabay.com; http://www.pixnio.com; Nancy Ruegg; http://www.quotefancy.com; Nancy Ruegg; http://www.pxhere.com.
From the Inside Out 
Thank you Nancy, always an inspiration and always a greater awareness.
Love and prayers to you and Steve, Janet
Thank you, Janet. So glad you found the post inspirational. Thank you also for your love and prayers. Steve receives another chemo treatment next week.
Oh, Nancy, this is my heart’s cry of late. God, remind me that you are with me. Make we aware of your presence. I am so forgetful and definitely fall into the first category of living unaware. I am sensing God wants to change that though 🙂 Thanks for sharing your wisdom with us!!!! You have a wonderful gift of encouragement!!!
Thank you, Heidi, for YOUR encouragement. It’s true: God has SO many delights to share with us–if only we make ourselves available. With you I pray, “Make me aware of Your presence!”
I just saw an article about reducing the clutter in one’s home; I definitely need to do that. But more importantly (after reading this)…I need to reduce the clutter in my brain! Nancy, this is a much-needed reminder…at least for me…to make room for the appreciation of the beauty and wonder around me; and especially to make more room for the Holy Spirit to speak to my heart. I have been working on focusing on my blessings instead of my fears; so I am definitely a ‘work in progress’. This is a wonderful post! And who doesn’t want to ‘live on the threshold of heaven’? (I love that phrase!)
Praise God he values progress; he knows perfection is out of the question! I need reminders myself to continually condition my mind and focus. So glad you found encouragement in the post, Cheri!
Nancy, this theme of being aware has echoed in more than one corner this week for me. I need to practice being present and paying attention more–preach it!
As I just responded to Cheri above, I need practice, too. Maybe that’s why this theme became this week’s post: Docendo discimus. (“The best way to learn is to teach!”) Thank you for the affirmation, Jody, that it IS a valuable lesson for all of us.
I needed this today . Thanks Nancy and blessings to you and Steve
Praise God for his timing! And thank you for your blessing, Laura. We DO feel God’s favor, even during this time of uncertainty and waiting! Just last week the A/C quit, early one evening during a heat wave. But a cancellation allowed the technician to come the next afternoon, and –believe it or not–had the part we needed on his truck! It was slightly used, but still good. And he gave it to us free! All we had to pay was his service call. God makes us smile every day!
good reminder as I am so often guilty of this. Losing my focus too often too. Love how you wove these lessons so tenderly together too. Lovely reminder
Thank you, Jean. So glad the lessons landed with a tender touch. Together we can sharpen our focus day by day, and zero in on God-matters!
That’s where I want to live too Nancy! I think we are kindred spirits!!
I think so, too, Sister!
To live “on the precipice of (His) glory.” Yes! Beautifully said, Nancy.
Thank you, Mitch!
I found my way over here from Sheila’s blog. I enjoyed this post. 🙂 Thank you.
You’re welcome, Linda, and thank you for stopping by. I’m delighted you enjoyed the post!
Oh, that final photo and prayer, “to live on the precipice of [His] glory”! Meet you there in five minutes? 🙂 Thank you for reminding me of everyday opportunities to come fully awake, Nancy
Thank you, Laurie! Wouldn’t it be fun if we COULD meet at heaven’s gates in five minutes?! As always, I love your creative imagining.