Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Week(s) (02/10/11)
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TITLE: A Special Way to Measure Things | Previous Challenge Entry
By Hiram Claudio
02/16/11 -
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Time is no different. Whether seconds or centuries, we define and measure the value of each measure of time we are given by how effective they were used. Each time designation is worthy of its own discussion. But evidence clearly suggests that there is something uniquely special about the time period called … a week!
Calendars are referenced by “weeks” (by how many have occurred and how many are left). College semesters are chronicled by how many “weeks” remain in them. The National Football League is celebrated by what “week” you happen to be in. And mothers know that the blessing of their children began with a period of “weeks” that is carefully monitored by their doctor. We look at each “week” as an opportunity to string days together and really accomplish something. We even wonder if this will be a “good week” or “bad” one.
When you think about it, we really do rely heavily on the frame that is created by this consecutive string of seven days. Yet truthfully, this is not surprising. Because all that we know, all that we see around us, all that we depend upon yet each day take for granted, all of creation began … with a very special week!
It began with a week in which the Holy One spoke. And whenever He spoke, things happened. Stars and planets and whole galaxies came into existence. And then the next day happened. Our planet formed with all its intricate biology. And then the next day happened. Life was created on this world in various forms. And then the next day happened. The human race was birthed. All in all … not a bad week!
But I think one of the most amazing things we can take for this very special week is not just how much was accomplished or how much creative power was wielded. I think one of the most remarkable things about this week is how it ended. It ended with the Creator not creating. We are told He simply stopped. Wait a minute, He rested? Was He tired? No. This wasn’t a rest to re-energize. It was a rest we would all do well to imitate in all of the weeks in our lives. It was a rest to reflect. The scripture says, “God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day” Genesis 1:31 (NIV). And it was because of this that a few verses later we are told that God rested and ended His work. This special week was over!
We would have been tempted to take this particular week, one filled with so much effort and accomplishment and “finish strong.” But that’s the part we miss. God did finish strong. He did so by giving us a wonderful model to follow – to reflect and appreciate the work of His hand. That at some point in our weeks, we stop and take a look around us. Now we often may look and not see much good. But if we are honest, and open to seeing through His eyes, the Lord will show the ‘good’ in even the worst of weeks.
In the week when the stress of finishing that semester seems too much, let Him show you the miracle of being given the ability to learn. And when you are at the point when you are begging for that child “to be born already,” let Him remind you of the awesome privilege to play such an intimate role in the creation of new life. Reflecting over our “weeks” can allow us to see in them what He saw at the end of that very special first week … the very good.
But it will require you stop, pause, and reflect. Actually, not a bad way to end every week I think.
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