“There are glimpses of heaven to us in every act, or thought, or word, that raises us above ourselves.” ~ Robert Quillen
Most people begin their days by making some kind of plan. Some go, in my view, way overboard by writing things down, making to-do lists for themselves, et cetera. But, hey, if it works for them, that’s just fine. Whether we make very elaborate lists or simply call to mind what we might do, we make a plan.
Seeing those plans might be a bit disillusioning, though. A lot of people’s plans all swirl around themselves. They plan the day for their own wants, hopes, dreams, and desires. There is not a lot of room in their daily schedule for others. There is an inherent “danger” in that kind of planning. It seems more than a bit contradictory but, when we plan to fulfill all of our own thoughts and desires, we miss out on life.
I’ll wait for you here. I know you’re going to go back to that last sentence and read it a few, if not several, times. Okay. You back with me? “What does he mean, I’ll miss out on life?!” Well, let me tell you.
When we do things for ourselves, that remains the only focus. We view the world through ourselves and, in the process, interact with the world on a minimal basis. Doing so, we miss the opportunity to encounter other people and new experiences. The reason that is such a shame is because God is in those other people and experiences. When we go about doing things solely for ourselves, we miss the God who is in all.
When, instead, we set out to serve others, our mind is open to everyone and everything around us and we are much more able to encounter God who is “in every act, or thought, or word, that raises us above ourselves.” Don’t rob yourself of the opportunity to encounter the Lord today. Look outward, not inward.
FAITH ACTION: In planning your day, make sure that you concentrate upon the actions that contribute to the good of others.