What a Beautiful Place
I had dinner tonight at the Marina in Long Beach, California. It was beautiful. The sun was setting just past the horizon and the shades of color falling on the lighthouse were almost magical. I sat there with my good friend, Tim Abare as we discussed the day’s business and the coming days ahead. It was all perfectly comfortable although I had this empty feeling deep within me.
I kept taking photos on my super-cool iPhone and emailing them to my wife with captions like “wishing you were here” or “you would love this place”. I was viewing beauty that I wanted to share with the person that I love most on this planet. I love my friend Tim, but to be sitting there with Jenny would have been an extraordinary event.
About the time I got in my car to head back to LAX for my red-eye (which I promised myself just 3 weeks ago, I would never do again) I wondered if that is how God feels when I blow past His creation and the beauty He places in front of me day by day? I must break His heart when I don't appreciate His creation, whether it is the beauty in nature, the beauty in the people He created or the beauty He placed in my heart through His son Jesus Christ.
I’m a busy guy. I basically work 6 ½ days a week, and often gripe about it, even though I can control it. I get in the car and return calls, I answer emails on the plane, watching television or even in lines waiting for my Skinny Vanilla Latte from Starbucks. I never stop, even though He created me to take a day of Sabbath and He created me to find joy in the journey He has placed me on.
Maybe He placed this on my heart just for me, but that isn’t how it works, is it? Maybe you needed this reminder that He created you to enjoy the journey as well. So, as for me, I have determined that I will create more space and a few more boundaries in my busy life. What about you? Is there a need to rethink and restructure your values or your time?
May we enjoy this journey and may those around us sense our appreciation for them, for they are His wonderful creation. God Himself said after creating the world that it was good. He finished creating man, and He said, that’s really good. That is worth re prioritizing for…God said that His creation; you and me, was very good.
Let’s enjoy and appreciate the journey, and let’s start now.
Peace, Chuck
