When you saw the subject matter of this email, did you think it might be about some kind of yoga, zen type thing that was not going to be relevant to you? In the context of today’s culture, I can understand why. Part of the enemies’ strategy is to take any and every thing and turn it upside down and use it against us – even language.
In reality, mindfulness is simply the opposite of “mindlessness” – something we’ve all probably encountered when we are eating too much of our favorite snack while watching t.v. Our culture is gravitating more and more toward mindlessness – everything from 30 second sound bites to 24-hour news cycles that do nothing more than kill time. The enemy is slowly, incrementally training us away from intentionality, mindfulness, deliberate actions taken with deliberate choices behind them.
Mindfulness is actually very biblical with God teaching us about different aspects of mindfulness such as:
- Practicing worshipful meditation (that’s the purpose of rituals by the way – they are supposed to be a tool to assist with connection and focus, not a law).
- Stillness – “Be Still and KNOW that I am God.” (This is one of my personal favorites – I want to take the time to stop what I’m doing and just KNOW. Very comforting.)
- Being Present – remembering that God is with us always. A foundational truth to stand on.
- Letting Go – how many of you have heard of “Let Go and Let God”? How many of us are good at it? It actually takes a lot of mindfulness to have the self-control necessary to let go of external control and anxiety over things that we never had control of anyway. This is a real faith exercise.
- Attention – God deserves our attention. The first commandment really sets the prioritization.
- Perception. This is such a huge one. I’m in marketing and worked in politics before that and believe me – the mantra is “perception is reality”. It’s a privilege to take the time to wash our perceptions through God’s lens. I want His reality, not the world’s.
- Awareness of your own inner life – being connected to your spirit and who God created you to be. Letting your emotions inform you rather than control you. Using them as the tools God intended, not as excuses.
- Loving Kindness (prayer) – we speak with God because we love and trust Him. We take our good, our bad, and our ugly to Him. We worship Him. Prayer is an ongoing conversation with someone 100% available to us.
- Gratitude. To live a grateful life is to live a content and generous life. It’s a daily decision.
- Curiosity and Wonder. Nature. Science. The human body. The ocean. The sun. Love. Babies. The ability to speak and write. Creativity. The woods. (Fill in your own list – it’s all from Him.)
All of this to say…
I think God enjoys our mindful participation with him. If you think about it, don’t we all enjoy it when someone really shows us that they had put effort into us and our relationship with them? Sure, I like it if someone gives me any gift – whether it’s time or effort or a treat. But when I can see that they’ve really put thought, intention, and a little skin into it – WOW – that really means a lot to me.
So as Pastor Augie wraps up this current series on stewardship, it strikes me as a good time to encourage you each to be mindful – however God works on that with you in your own personal way. Stewardship is a mindful opportunity, not a chore. Our church is working on a new chapter. Our families, friends, community, and world are in as great of need as ever of the good news of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He didn’t just come so we could die well, He came so we could live well. I’m so grateful and it makes me want to be a part of what God has going on. Time, talent, treasure – I want to encourage you to be mindful and really enjoy the opportunity, the privilege to put God on the throne of your resources.
Thank you for taking the time to read this letter, I really appreciate it. I hope you found some interesting nuggets in here to talk to God about. I hope you found something in here that helps you in your daily walk through this thing we call life. (Yes, I am quoting a Prince song here a little bit in case that sounded familiar to you.)
Smile, pray and know that God loves you in this moment as much as He ever will no matter what you do. If you feel so inclined to share your commitment with us, please use this link and let us know what your goals are. Share your journey with us as we all figure this out together.
In Christ’s Love,
Kim Glassman