STOP, AND SMELL (CONSIDER) THE ROSES

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.   Most of us are very task oriented. 

1.    When we get up, there are tasks that we must complete.

2.    Get dressed, eat breakfast, drive to work, the store, the bank, or a doctor’s appointment.  Eat lunch.  Watch a TV show.  Take a nap.  Make a phone call.  Take a walk.  Eat a snack for supper.  Watch a little TV.  Read the Bible.  Say a prayer.  Off to bed. 

 

B.   When we are task oriented, we are only focused on getting the task done.

1.    In some respects, we sleepwalk through our day.

2.    We are mostly on autopilot as far as life is concerned.

 

C.   It is for this reason, a statement has been formulated that most of us can repeat, even though we fail to practice it. 

1.    The statement is:  “Stop, and Smell the Roses.”

2.    We have refined the statement just a little for our title:  “Stop, and Smell (Consider) the Roses.”

3.    NOTE:  The practice we are advocating is “mindfulness.”

 

I.             WHAT IS MINDFULNESS?

 

A.   Being aware of what is going on – right here, right now.

 

B.   You are aware, present, focused, embodied, and accepting.

 

C.   Mindfulness means paying attention in a particular way:  on purpose, in the present moment…”

 

D.   At a men’s breakfast, I passed around a box of raisins.  Each person took 2 raisins.

1.    We simply ate the first raisin.  Isn’t that what raisins are for?

2.    The second raisin was different.  We became mindful of it.

a.    What does it feel like in our hand?

b.    What does it smell like before eating it?

c.    What does it look like?  Color?  Ridges?  Valley?

d.    If we squeeze it, does it make a sound?

e.    Place it in your mouth without chewing it.  What does it feel like?

f.     Take a small bite of the raison?  What happens to it?  What taste fills your mouth?

g.    Swallow the raisin and feel it go down your throat and into your stomach. 

h.    By this time, this is the most examined raisin they had ever eaten.

 

E.   NOTE:  We can practice mindfulness with anything and everything in our lives.

1.    We can close our eyes and listen for sounds in a dark, empty room.

2.    We can drive to an appointment intentionally looking at every person we see.

3.    We can eat a meal much slower and cherish every bite.

4.    Yes, we can stop and truly consider the roses.

 

F.    We need to do this with regard to our spiritual lives as well.  Often our spiritual lives are on autopilot.  Instead, we really need to be mindful of the things we do spiritually.

 

II.           SPIRITUAL MINDFULNESS

 

A.   Our Bible study should be done with mindfulness.

1.    Two verses:

a.    Psalm 1:1-2 talks about the “blessed man.”  He refrains from all evil individuals.  Now listen to verse 2.

 

But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.

 

b.    1 Timothy 4:15

 

Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear unto all.

 

2.    Notice both verses use the word “meditate” with regard to God’s Word.

a.    Some have defined the word “meditate” as “to chew the cud.”  A cow eats grass, digests it.  Then, a few hours later, the cud is brought back up and the cow chews it some more.

b.    A verse in the Bible contains more than just an overall thought.  Each verse is filled with the wisdom, understanding, and reasoning from God.

c.    On Wednesday nights, we have been attempting to do this in 1 John.

1)    Read the verse.

2)    Write the verse.

3)    Write the verse in sections.

4)    Title the sections of the verse.

5)    Pay close attention to what the verse really says.

6)    Define all of the words.

7)    Look for lessons in words, definitions, segments, the whole verse, and the opposite of what is being said. 

8)    Keep in mind the background and the theme of the book.

3.    When we are mindful of a verse, we milk the verse for all it is worth.

4.    Example:  Question at MSOP about Jesus’ response to the temptations of Satan.

a.    Answer:  “It is written.”  It is written.”  “It is written.”

b.    I missed the question.

c.    Jesus second response was not:  “It is written.”  Jesus said:  It is written again.”

 

B.   Our giving in worship.

1.    It is difficult to be mindful of giving during worship.

a.    Giving during the worship service is a very quick, simple act.  We cast money into the basket when it is passed our way. 

b.    After COVID, there are some churches that are still collecting the money in boxes in the foyer as the member enters the auditorium for worship.

c.    It is often done at the end of the service and individuals often have their minds on being dismissed and their plans for the afternoon.

2.    How do we become mindful in our giving.

a.    First, our giving begins a long time before we get to the building.  Prior to our arrival, we are to “purpose” what we will give (2 Cor. 9:7).

 

Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give…

 

1)    The word “purposeth” means “to choose for oneself, to intend.

2)    Before we come to worship, we ask ourselves:  “What am I going to return to the Lord in worship?”

a)    Remember, your wealth really belongs to the Lord.  We are stewards of His goods. 

b)    How much have I been given?

c)    How much do I love the Lord?

d)    How much do I appreciate the Lord’s blessings.

e)    Will this amount be well-pleasing to the Lord?

f)     Does this represent an offering, a sacrifice on my part?

b.    When the basket is passed, we must make certain that our hearts are cheerful (2 Cor. 9:7).

 

Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity:  for God loveth a cheerful giver.

 

c.    As you give, think about the good your funds are going to do for the cause of Christ.

1)    They support your minister.

2)    They support the works of the church, especially SOE at OceanSide.

3)    They enable us to send the message of the gospel to our community.

4)    They support mission works.

5)    They support men being trained to preach the gospel.

6)    They support hurting children.

7)    They support men who have been in prison whose lives are being transformed by the gospel.

8)    They are supporting our own spiritual growth as Christians.

9)    They enable us to be benevolent to those in need.

10) They enable us to have a convenient, useful place for our worship and our spiritual education.

 

III.         JESUS WAS A MINDFUL INDIVIDUAL

 

A.   At the age of 12, He was focused on the Father’s business (Luke 2:49).

 

B.   When little children were brought to Him, He did not allow them to be cast aside by the disciples (Matt. 19:13-15).

 

C.   As He watched people putting money into the treasury, He saw the widow who cast in two mites (Mark 12:44).

 

D.   When the woman with an issue of blood touch Him and virtue went out from Him, he did not keep on pressing toward the home of Jairus but turned His attention to the woman (Mark 5:30-34).

 

E.   As He entered the temple, it was not just “business as usual” for Jesus.  He saw the corruption and cleansed the temple (John 2:12-16).

 

F.    He would often withdraw Himself into a mountain to pray alone (Mark 6:46).

 

G.   In the Garden, He was focused on what was about to occur and dealt with it in prayer to the Father (Matt.26:39, 42-44).

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.   We all need to be more mindful.  We need to “pay attention” to the moment.

 

B.   We could have made application to a multitude of things.

1.    Our blessings

2.    How we live our Christian lives:  our attitudes, our words, our actions

3.    All of our worship:  singing, Lord’s Supper, prayer, and the message being delivered

4.    Our opportunities to spread the gospel

5.    How we treat our brothers and sisters in Christ

6.    Our temptations:  pride, sensual desires, omissions, “little” sins, etc.

 

C.   Psalm 19:14

 

Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.