Don’t abandon the blessing in exchange for the prize.

When was the last time you sat down and truly enjoyed a sunset or a sunrise?  In the hustle and bustle of life, in our hurry to get to the next place or destination, do we fail to enjoy our journey?

Think of it this way, you are hungry… really hungry!  The food is setting on the table.  Do you fill your plate and chow down devouring it in 5 min. flat?  Or do you take the first bite and slowly roll it about in your mouth so to savor the flavor of each bite for as long as possible?  Most of us are just anxious to fill our bellies, not to enjoy the meal.

As I prayed, I was reminded that God would have us take time to enjoy the journey.  Yes, we are to be focused on the prize.  We are to motivate ourselves to continue the process and the progress of moving forward in our calling.  However, we are not to be so kingdom minded that we are of no earthly good.

God created us for relationship.  First and foremost, he wants to have an intimate relationship with each of us.  Furthermore, he wants us to enjoy the company of those he put us here to do life with, and there are many.

Once again, he created us for relationship; we are not to be an island.

Let us go back to eating that savory meal.  At the end, the plates are cleared; and the desert arrives.  Fresh hot cookies directly from the oven.  Don’t we want to take the time to roll every morsel on our tongue so we can savor each sweet bite?

God wants us to savor our relationship with him in much the same manner.  Not being in such a huge hurry to move on to the next task, but thoughtfully taking time to enjoy every moment in his presence. Much as we taste and enjoy the sweetness of the cookie, David admonishes, “Taste and see that the Lord is good.” (Psalm 34:8)

God would have us enjoy the relationship we have with one another.  Let us not be in such a hurry to get to where we are going that we fail to embrace the treasures God has placed on our path for today. Let us take time to savor the moment when we come together with family and friends.  After all, we were created for relationship.  Let us not abandon the blessing in exchange for the prize. Such a race would be but bittersweet.