Editor’s note: As Loma Linda University Health continues a massive construction project to build the new Medical Center and Children’s Hospital towers, the chaplains invite members of the campus to pray and fast each Tuesday, asking for God’s guidance and wisdom as we continue to grow. Below is a devotional from a series in News of the Week based on the biblical book of Nehemiah, in which Nehemiah faced a massive building project of his own.
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Blessed be your glorious name, and may it be exalted above all blessing and praise. You alone are the Lord. You made the heavens, even the highest heavens, and all their starry host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. You give life to everything, and the multitudes of heaven worship you. Nehemiah 9:5-6
Looking to the west just after sunset last Friday, there was a spectacular view of Jupiter nearly dancing with a tiny, crescent moon. It was breathtaking!
We have all experienced moments when we can do nothing more than stand in awe as we absorb the beauty around us. Some of these are predictable — the first glimpse of the Yosemite Valley coming out of the tunnel, an aerial view of the Grand Canyon, Old Faithful spouting off, the Canadian Rockies behind Moraine Lake and so many more.
But the works of God are not only seen when we are expecting it. His lavish love brings such joy when we are surprised by beauty: a glimpse of a rainbow through the storm clouds, the first bean persuading its way through the soft dirt in the spring, the scent of honeysuckle wafting through pasture land. God consistently provides an abundant display of His goodness.
As Nehemiah and the Jews finished their work of rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem, they were overcome with God’s goodness and couldn’t help but praise Him. The Levites stood before the people and said, “Stand up and praise the Lord your God, who is from everlasting to everlasting.” Nehemiah 9:5
Giving thanks is often a natural response to a pleasant event or happening. But we are in danger of becoming complacent and losing our wonder. With repeated exposure, we sometimes become accustomed to beauty or we may simply be too busy to notice. Both options are regrettable.
Gratitude is a discipline that we can develop. Rather than complaining about circumstances, we can search for some glimmer of goodness for which to be thankful. Creating a gratitude journal can be an effective way of reminding ourselves to be thankful. While it may seem elementary at first, we can train ourselves to begin looking for the positive and, in the process, change our entire outlook for the better.
Kathy McMillan, MA
Director
Employee spiritual care
Loma Linda University Medical Center