God's glory is most often recognized in the creation around us but so often I skip over the beauty that is with me every single day.
My friends are such gifts. People that I can rely on, that I know have my back. Real, genuine relationships with people who care deeply for me, and have an innate desire to be relational.
I've seen people come out of such darkness.
Friends who have experienced the traumatic loss of loved ones. Even when it's not their direct family, that weight is so heavy that it often effects people in ways that even they cannot understand. A good friend recently went through a time of real trial and alone-ness. He has also been unemployed for some time. It is amazing to hear how God used that time as solitude with Him and not loneliness from others. He's grown to better understand how God is working in his life, and to trust in His timing and provision.
This year I lead college students and young adults in a Sunday morning class at church. I saw God's character in our passionate desire to know more about our heavenly Father. Doing life with 20 other critical thinkers, hearing what God was doing in their lives and diving into the Word was so refreshing and honoring. What a blessing to grow closer together and to becoming true disciples of Christ by fearing him in reverence!
The people around us have been through so very much. I have heard from several friends within the past few weeks, and I am weighed down with how much people have been through; how we don't support our friends very well in those trials. Do we really know what is going on in each other's lives? Not that we need to express our deepest struggles on every "how you doing?" in the hallways, but those people who you do identify as close friends have you really heard how they're doing? Have you asked what they are really struggling with, and how you can help support them through it being a helping hand and listening ear?
How loved do you feel when someone listens to what you are saying? They put down their technology, they ignore other distractions -- lock in and give you the time of day that you deserve. How can we better love one another?
I am so thankful for God's mercy in bringing me, bringing all of us, out of dark pasts. Leaving the darkness and becoming light. Jesus' shed blood washed away any and all of the past. We are new creations, we are not what were were, but are made new -- I need to be constantly reminded of that.
"for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light."
Ephesians 5:7b-8
I hope and pray that I continue to see God in the beautiful sunsets and amazing creation, but I also pray that I can see God's character in each person that he has beautifully and wonderfully made.
