Read Psalm 147.
We have a huge window in our apartment that we love to open all the time, especially when the weather is nice. So while reading Psalm 147 the other morning, I decided to open it and enjoy the 62 degree, sunny weather. Instead of me actually enjoying the weather, the sound of the birds chirping and leaves blowing, I’ve been stressing out over everything that needs to get done today. I’ve been missing the beauty right in front of me. Then I read verses 16-18.
“He gives snow like wool; he scatters frost like ashes. He hurls down his crystals of ice like crumbs; who can stand before his cold? He sends out his word, and melts them; he makes his wind blow and the waters flow.”
This entire psalm is very encouraging and a great reminder of how beautiful and powerful our God is. But these particular verses stood out to me because of what was right in front of me: Spring.
Even though our winter usually isn’t that bad, it can still get pretty cold and miserable. But then, God commands the snow and ice to melt (we’ll have to just imagine what that looks like!) and the rivers start flowing again. We are currently in this season of spring and it has been absolutely gorgeous outside! God has given us these beautiful, sunny days to enjoy and to remind us of his beauty. We tend to miss his beauty a lot, don’t we? I know I do. I even miss it when my window is open on a day like today, and his beauty is literally right in front of me. My mind is just focused on me rather than my Creator.
Sometimes it’s harder to see the beauty in mundane workdays or days when it seems like nothing is going our way. But we can always find beauty no matter what because God’s work is done through Jesus. We are no longer enslaved to sin, and we can find beauty in that truth. So no matter what you’re going through today, whether your mind is on your never-ending to-do list, or your boss is driving you crazy, or your kids are taking every last bit of energy you have, just stop and take in the beauty. It’s there, so don’t miss it.
-- Bethany Powell