Maneuvers - No. 101
A More
Beautiful Life
Friend, what are some of the most beautiful things you’ve ever seen? Can you list them?
We (Jennifer and Justin) can think of quite a few:
• A sunset with rich hues of pink, purple, and orange
• A baby’s smile
• Majestic mountain peaks lined with trees and snow
• Tears of healing running down a loved one’s face
… And so many more.
When we’re intentional about looking, it’s easier to recognize these good and beautiful things around us.
But what if there’s even more to find? More beauty and joy and freedom and delight? Something far beyond what this world can give us?
Scripture describes it this way:
“How precious is your steadfast love, O God! The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings. They feast on the abundance of your house, and you give them drink from the river of your delights. For with you is the fountain of life; in your light, we see light” (Psalm 36:7-9, ESV, emphasis added).
In this week’s FLAG Message, Holy Spirit is opening our eyes to a life more beautiful—one that is rooted in Jesus’ radical love.
So come and listen …
“There is so much a day holds. So many lives touching yours. So many interactions. I hear the conversations. Each one.
“Will you pause and consider this with me for a moment—the view I have of seeing and knowing all the people in your life? Each friend? Each neighbor? Each experience of eye contact you have with another person when you go down the street? The hours, days, weeks, and years of one life touching another and another?
“How beautiful this is to me! I love how you connect with other lives—how your words and actions affect others!
“How lovely, also, is the effect of my love on you. Everyone you meet feels it. And how wonderful is their love’s effect on you!
“I love loving you. I love the life you have because I am in you and how anything is possible. We can do anything—all good and beautiful things—together. I make beautiful things more beautiful. I make good things even better.
“Do you see it? All the beautiful things I see? Do you hold it all in your heart as I hold you in mine? Do you feel my heart beating in your chest? Do you feel the same excitement I feel for the goodness in you, the possibilities of more healing around the corner?
“Let’s do more things together. From waking to sleeping. From working to dreaming. From planning to executing. From surrendering to hoping. See me. Feel me. Know me. Oh, how you delight me. Oh, how I love you. I am here. I am with you. I am always right where I want to be.”
02.
Listen
Close your eyes and take a deep breath as you think over this week’s message. In one word, what’s your heart’s response to the Lord?
03.
Think
“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love” (John 15:9, ESV).
1. What good things has God brought into your life? How can you see his love for you through those things?
2. Where is it hard to recognize goodness and beauty around you? What makes it difficult?
3. How do you long to show more of God’s love to those around you? What would that look like?
04.
Trust
Life is beautiful because our God, the One who created it, is beautiful. Yes, we live in a broken world, full of pain and sin and evil. But there’s still so much good to find, too, isn’t there?
But what’s even more amazing about our Jesus is that he takes those good and beautiful things around us and makes them even more beautiful. He adds a new layer of adventure, excitement, purpose, and joy that this world of ours simply can’t offer.
Let’s read this week’s message again:
“Let’s do more things together. From waking to sleeping. From working to dreaming. From planning to executing. From surrendering to hoping. See me. Feel me. Know me. Oh, how you delight me. Oh, how I love you. I am here. I am with you. I am always right where I want to be.”
How do we experience this kind of intimacy with God in our day-to-day lives? How do we break the habit of confining Jesus to church meetings and private devotions and instead invite him into every moment of the day? Every nook and cranny of our thoughts and emotions?
For today’s exercise, let’s settle into a comfy chair (or go on a relaxing walk if we think better when we’re moving) and think through our day yesterday. What did we do? Who did we see? What did we accomplish? How did we rest? What did we feel?
Now, let’s re-imagine that day but with Jesus next to us the entire time.
What does he say as we go about our day with him? What little joys and beautiful surprises does he point out and delight in with us? What does he say to challenge or comfort us? How does he guide us and help us make decisions and find delight in the routine?
Now, let’s open our journals and write a letter to Jesus, thanking him for the specific ways he loves us and asking him to help us walk with him in all the good things he has in store.
If you’re not sure what to say, here’s an easy way to get started:
Jesus,
I love being with you. The other day, I knew you were with me when …
I love how you love me. You see me as …
I love the good gifts you put in my life. Today, I saw your love through …
Help me show others the same love you’ve shown me. Help me take the opportunities you give me to …
Your child,
[Your Name]
05.
Pray
Heavenly Father, your love is so beautiful and so much bigger than I can understand. Despite my weaknesses and imperfections, you love me and see good in me. You see Jesus in me.
Help me trust your love today. Teach me to receive it, revel in it, and let it flow out of me to impact others.
I love everything about you. Even the parts I don’t fully understand yet. You are so big. So beautiful. So good. So kind.
In Jesus’ name, amen.
Waving the banner with you,
