Devotion: It’s All In How You Look At It
Please take a moment to read the scripture from the weekend: John 4:46-54
As our congregation looks with wonder at the stories of the Bible where God amazes us, we realize that it’s hard to amaze us these days. We are distracted by many things, and with all the capabilities of modern technology, we aren’t surprised at the many things that are possible. We aren’t even terribly surprised when great healing takes place. Worse yet, sometimes we even look with disappointment at the things that should amaze us, because the situation is not precisely the way we would like it to be.
In our scripture today, a seriously ill young boy is healed with only the command of Jesus. His father is so amazed that he can’t wait to tell everyone about it, and many people come to faith in the Lord. In other stories of the Bible water is turned to wine and thousands of people are fed with a few loaves and fishes. You can bet there was at least one person in each of those stories that missed the significance, missed the opportunity to be amazed, because they were busy or were looking for something else.
How many times do our realistic attitudes and busy lives lead us to miss the opportunities to see God in the moment and walk away impressed and thankful?
Whenever I need a reminder to “wake up and look with amazement”, I think of a time when my son was a little boy. We were driving down A Street on our way to church. He and I had a little game where for every dandelion he brought me, he would get a kiss. In the springtime he could arrive home from the bus stop with 30 dandelions and receive 30 kisses. We both loved it and I looked forward to a fistful of dandelions. Those days are long past, and 30 kisses from his mom is no longer his dream come true. But on that day as we drove by Roberts Park and I saw the entire park covered with yellow blooms my thought was, “Oh, what a mess that’s going to be for the neighbors in a couple of weeks”. Mitchell had a completely different lens through which to see the situation. His words were “Wow, that’s awesome. That must be worth about six million kisses”.
Through more receptive little eyes, we can see things in a different way and regain our wonder. It’s just all in how we look at things and how open our heart is to see the amazing.
Dear Lord, Each day, starting today, help me to see opportunities where I see problems and barriers. Open my eyes to the wonders of your world and the miracles you perform. Thank you for the many stories of the Bible and the way they keep teaching me new things! Amen
Written by Lori Snyder-Sloan
Lori Snyder-Sloan is new to Sheridan, having been a life-long child of God. In her past life she served in healthcare as an Infection Preventionist for CHI Health, and currently enjoys volunteering as a nurse and working part-time from home. She is the wife of Jon Sloan and the mother of married children in Florida and Oregon, a bonus-daughter in Germany and two pups at home. Her family is the highlight of her life, however she also enjoys raising plants, reading, crocheting, Bible study, time with friends, and cross-fit workouts. She and Jon currently live in Omaha, but after the remodel of the family home, they will move back to Lincoln in early June.