Twice A Day: Refreshing

"The whole earth is filled at awe at your wonders;
 where morning dawns, where evening fades,
 you call forth songs of joy." Psalm 65:8 

   We often miss what God has prepared for us because we are so busy falling into the trap of distractions.
We miss out on our relationship with him or the beauty of his wonders or the joy of the Lord in our daily lives. When we take the bait of satan, we miss out on God's perfect gifts for us. The quality of  our lives should not be exchanged for the busyness in our lives. 

   Sometimes just sitting still can be a challenge, but one worth taking. "Let be and be still, and know (recognize and understand) that I am God." Psalm 46:10  If you're like me, slowing down your body isn't so hard. You run the kids around or work all day,  you come home and make dinner, clean up, getting everyone to bed and then your body is ready to give up. Sometimes my mind isn't though, it just keeps on going while I lay awake thinking of all things I didn't get done. So I find a distraction, read a book or put on a tv show to fall asleep to. In that busy day there is little time to "Be Still and Know God." 

   Other times we are distracted by the pursuit of what we do not possess; money, entertainment, material things, relationships, and anything to fill the void or emptiness in our souls.
It is not that God does not want us to have money, entertainment, material things, or relationships but he warns us that these things will never fill the void or emptiness in our souls. And if we are not careful, instead of being gifts from God they will become distractions away from Him. 

   I believe God gave us anchors in each in day to help us avoid the distractions and keep us focused on things above where true joy comes from that can fill the void and emptiness in our souls. There are wonders of God all around us if we take the time recognize them. There are two times a day that God really emphasizes his great works and even accompanies them with music. "Where morning dawns and where evening fades," he calls forth songs of joy. Why is a sunrise so beautiful? Why is a sunset so magnificent? Because God accompanies them with "Songs of Joy" in a harmonic that resonates with our very soul.
     The birds sing in the morning as the sun rises, they are overjoyed with the thought of a new day. The crickets chirp as the sun sets making a joyful noise at the end of another day the Lord has made. A couple holding hands in the sunset is a common picture of how God enhances relationships in these intersections of his awe and wonder. They don't have to be talking to each other to feel the blessing of God upon them as they stare off into the setting sun. It is a time when we are reminded that if we have nothing else; no material things, no money, even standing before God alone, we stand facing the setting sun and know that we need nothing more than God himself. We watch a sun rise over the horizon and are filled with God's joy and strength to face another day no matter what it brings. 

      No matter how busy your life gets during the day, take a moment to stand in awe of God's wonders as morning dawns and evening fades. Let your heart rejoice in these anchors of great joy God has given us every day. Be still and listen to the music God has called forth, know him and  refresh in his presence.