Thought for Monday, January 16th

January 16, 2012

Be Aware and Observant

Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.  Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.  Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?

Matthew 7:12-16

Quote of the Day

“It is the familiar that usually eludes us in life. What is before our nose is what we see last.”

-          William Barnett

Today’s Thoughts and Insights

“Ignore the obvious at your peril.” – Huw Wheldon

Often we overlook the obvious while looking for the obscure.  This seems to be overwhelmingly true when it comes it issues and matters of a spiritual nature.

When it comes to God’s will and His desires for our lives we often look for something grandiose, bigger than life or outside of the ordinary: when often God’s plans are simple: His means is to use something plain and common and the answer is right in front of our faces but we are looking to hard for the wrong thing and we end up missing it.

God says He will use the simple and ordinary to confuse and befuddle the wise. 

Often God’s work is accomplished through what might appear to be the most simple and mundane: yet when God is in it – even the simple and mundane can be miraculous and awe inspiring.

Don’t look for a needle in the haystack when God wants you to see the haystack. 

When it comes to seeking God and serving the Lord we need to be diligent, faithful, watchful and aware.  And don’t be surprised when He decides to use common and ordinary things:  when He provides simple and basic answers to the situations, circumstances, needs and problems to accomplish His will.

Often it is in the most simplistic obvious things that God’s glory can shine the brightest.

Are you looking in the right place?  Are you seeing what might be right in front of you eyes?  Or are you missing it, because you’re looking to hard for the wrong thing?

Today’s Prayer

Father, holy, righteous, awesome and wonderful are you and to you all majesty honor and glory do I ascribe.   Help me to have open eyes to see, an open heart to perceive and an open mind to respond to what you place right in front of me when it comes to living for you.

“The obvious is that which is never seen until someone expresses it simply.”

-          Kahlil Gibran

“Let my Lifesong sing to You”

- from ‘Lifesong’ by Casting Crowns