One of my favorite Bible passages is when God speaks to Abram, calling him out of Ur of the Chaldees to a place he yet does not know.
2 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing [my emphasis]: 3 ...and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. Genesis 12
I realize that this was a divine message to Abram, but I feel God says something similar to each of us every moment, that we can use our moments to be a blessing, not simply to give one. Perhaps we need to learn to listen to the extent that Abram did.
If we believe that all life is interconnected, then when we are being a blessing in some way it does bless the whole world. (I don't like to think about the converse. Ouch.)
It pays to be mindful of our moments, rather than rushing through them to get to the next place or moment. And maybe that gives a small insight into the popular phrase pay it forward.
I came across a lovely blog this morning, Jake's World. He brings out the importance in music, as in life, of not hurrying to the last note, but savoring the entire piece. (I am guilty sometimes of moving the cursor in youtubes, are you?)
But in “the waiting game,” we can be so focused on what will be (the final note of music) that we miss what is. Within the waiting game is a subtle (or not-so-subtle) belief that tomorrow will be better than today. Now, that may be true. But today is the time and place to make a difference. It’s the only time and place we have any influence over. Jake
And he was listening to this, as I am thanks to him, as he wrote:
Gerald Finzi - Eclogue for Piano and Strings
He goes on to say:
Benjamin Zander, author of “The Art of Possibility” and conductor of the Boston Philharmonic, has a phrase that fits for me. He encourages people to be a contribution. Not to “make” a contribution, but to “be” one. Putting this idea into practice is as simple as throwing yourself into life as someone who makes a difference, accepting that you may not understand how or why. And, by being a contribution, you are one—not tomorrow, not when the waiting ends, but during the waiting! Now. Jake
Try to recognize today the places where you are making a difference, because you are and you do. We are more than a place-holder, we are ourselves the place God shines through.
Here's something I wrote a while ago:
The Lord is my secret place of calm
written for one whose life is unraveling
Order my steps in your word. Ps 119:133
Psalm 23 and Psalm 91
karin@savvythinker.comThe Lord is my sense of calm; I will not be frenzied.
Calm me down, Lord, and let me hear Your peaceful thoughts.Today was a rush from the word ‘go.’
Too many things, too many demands –
some for work, some for fun –
(even the fun seems a demand when worked in at top speed)
writing this as I drive – trying to hold the thoughts –
working it in – getting it done – more than I thought –
still it’s a race – calm me down, Lord, –
let me feel Your presence in my walk today.Let me show forth Your face to all I see:
peace that includes all, that lets You order my day.
Calm me down Lord, so I can pray.This is a prayer, for all that I meet,
for all that I talk to or see today,
that all they will find, or all they will see,
is Your peace in mine: deep peace of Mind.Limits drop off, constraints fall away.
I can do three things at once today.
All will get done –
the accomplishment’s Yours.
I feel Your presence opening doors.Lines were not long.
Traffic was light.
I prayed through it all
that it would not be just flight.
And running an errand (and running it was)
I heard myself paged before I was gone:
my credit card was returned without any muss
or having to retrace my steps while I fussed.
Your calm was there to quiet me down:
I never hurried, I just got it done.Surely Your peace and calm have followed me all the days of my life,
and I will dwell (never hurried) in Your secret place of calm forever.
Thanks be to God for His wonderful sense of calm!
Karin
www.savvythinker.com
don't steal my posts you know who you are
Originally posted 2009-09-17 08:46:10.
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{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Thanks for sharing your thoughts about Abram and being a blessing.
I loved the poem you wrote. I will be calmed. I will be able to get everything done that is needed to be done without rush and in time for fun.
Thanks. It took the hurry and rush out of the day to let the poem flow over me.