When I sit down to read my Bible, I am not simply spending a dutiful fifteen minutes. Instead, I am on a treasure hunt. With a pencil or highlighter in hand, I read with anticipation, waiting for something to speak to my spirit.
Underlining or highlighting those words makes the experience more personal and helps etch them in my heart. This small action trains me to expect discovery—to uncover the nuggets of truth that the Word of God is so rich with.
This process came to mind recently as I listened to our administrative assistant address our team. Nastasia shared that, in her role in upper management, she tries not to focus solely on what needs correction—though that is certainly part of her job. Instead, she intentionally looks for what is going well and for reasons to celebrate. She encouraged us to always have something to celebrate.
As someone who is usually looking for a reason to throw a party, I quickly embraced that concept.
I decided this year I would look for the good. With “highlighter” in hand, I want to anticipate what God has for me this year.
I am convinced that we too often miss the joys found in everyday life. These things may be as simple as the laughter of a child at play, the aroma of dinner cooking, or the blessing of a family gathered around a table. Other moments may include celebrating another birthday with aging loved ones or finally taking a long-planned holiday or trip. Joy can be as grand as building a church to meet the needs of a growing congregation, or as simple as mastering a new recipe or perfecting the art of baking bread (thank you very much).
Going on a hike is not only about reaching the end of a trail, but about taking in the beauty along the way. The same is true of life. Train yourself to look for joy along the journey, not just for what lies at the end of our journey. What if you anticipated what lies ahead with the same excitement you once felt during a childhood scavenger hunt?
I know that stormy days will come, as ordained by God. Yet even on those days, I want to look for the good—trusting that what I experience will ultimately grow and mature me.
Add these words to your vocabulary this year:
- Intrigue
- Discover
- Search
- Cherish
- Seek
- Excitement
- Thrills
- Gems
- Treasure
If this does not come easily to you, ask God to help you discover beauty along the way. Consider keeping a journal of the hidden gems and treasures you uncover simply because you are looking for them. Write down and continually add to a collection of memories and moments you don’t want to forget.
You will find that when you look for reasons to celebrate, you will surely find them.
“I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living” Psalm 27:14, NIV).
“Praise the LORD, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the LORD, my soul, and forget not all his benefits—who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s” (Psalm 103:1-5, NIV).
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13, NIV).
