I am at the point where I enjoy the subtitles. When I watch shows, I prefer to read what they are saying (along with hearing). It isn’t that they are not speaking English – they are. Sometimes they have different accents (I mean – we don’t have an accent in the South, it’s everyone else, right?). Sometimes they pronounce words differently. It takes a moment for my mind to process what in the world they are talking about. So if I have subtitles, I can read along with hearing what they are saying. It seems to help me put the puzzle together a little better. If I’m honest, I probably don’t hear as well as I once did – but that’s a discussion for another time. I do enjoy using more of my senses when I am watching TV – I feel more engaged.
When we go outside, we have an opportunity to use all of our senses and really embrace the world around us. We can hear the birds sing, if we listen. We can see the sun rise, if we are paying attention. We can feel the cool, fresh air, if we stop to notice. We can smell fresh air, if we breathe it in for a moment. We can feel the life of the tree if we stop and touch. We can taste the goodness of the Lord, if we take it in. It is all there for the experience. But most of us only smell when the smell isn’t good. We notice things that bother us. We only hear the birds if they are getting on our nerves or swooping way too close. We only notice the sun rising if it is blinding us when we are riding. We never stop to feel the earth because that would make our hands dirty. We never taste and see that the Lord is good because we have a million other things to do and engaging the world around us isn’t on the radar. We miss what God has provided – and given us the senses to enjoy. Even if we used just a few of our senses, we will experience the world in a whole new way. We may even find that God has given us an amazing place to live, breathe, grow, and love. If only we took the time to experience.
May your experiences use all of your senses God has given you. And may you be changed.
Focus Scripture:
Psalm 34:8-10
8 O taste and see that the Lord is good;
happy are those who take refuge in him.
9 O fear the Lord, you his holy ones,
for those who fear him have no want.
10 The young lions suffer want and hunger,
but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.
Photos included in Devotions are captured by David Cain – The Cain Gallery. Photos are available for sale by contacting The Cain Gallery
SEEING THE EXTRAORDINARY 