Tag: faith

Magnify the good

Published on by lindseybiggs5 Comments

O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together. Psalms 34:3

I love going to chapel on Monday morning at my son’s school. During chapel there is an opportunity for teachers and students to “magnify the good” by acknowledging something helpful that another student or teacher did. Students and teachers do a little cheer for that person.

It shows me the value of magnifying the good we see around us, which allows it to become bigger in our thinking.

After a period of feeling fear and doubt, I decided to give gratitude more diligently as a way to “magnify the good”. I have found that a gratitude app really helps me stay on top of this practice. Taking moments to fill my thought with an acknowledgement of good breaks the spell of lack, want, or depression. It gives a keen sense of God’s love, beauty, and goodness.

Gratitude enables us to feel peaceful and joyful! Gratitude has a healing effect.

So magnify the good! Notice the good around you, even the small things. Being aware of God’s presence can fill your consciousness with courage, hope, freedom, and possibilities.

A grateful heart a garden is,
Where there is always room
For every lovely, Godlike grace
To come to perfect bloom….
A grateful heart a temple is,
A shrine so pure and white,
Where angels of His presence keep
Calm watch by day or night.
(Christian Science Hymn 3)

Inspiration for the future

Published on by lindseybiggsLeave a comment

One of my favorite Bible verses is Jeremiah 29:11.

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. (NIV)

What I love about this passage is in the original Hebrew language it uses the word “shalom” to describe God’s plan. Shalom is one of those words that is packed full of meaning. It means peace, welfare, goodness, prosperity, total and complete wellbeing all in a single word. Imagine that! God’s will for you is goodness, welfare, peace, prosperity, complete and entire wellbeing. “God’s will” is a verb — it’s an action word. So, God is enforcing goodness, health, and wellbeing in your life.

When Jeremiah, the prophet, spoke this message to the people of Judah who were exiled in Babylon, it was a much needed message of hope. After the tumultuous events of 587 BCE including the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem and the Babylonian conquest of Judah, God’s promise was that God would restore the land and abundance, God would return the people to their home and out of exile, and there would be joy and celebration. It didn’t look like there was peace, but this message assured them that that was indeed God’s plan and so it came true.

This message is true for you, too! One time when I was feeling anxious about the future, I remembered this passage and God’s promise. This reminded me that God is in charge and God’s will is only good. God didn’t cause me to feel anxiety or doubt about my future, and I could overcome these thoughts by trusting God’s presence and power. I felt such a sense of peace and an assurance that God, good, was with me.

So the next time you are tempted to doubt or despair, know that God is not out to get you. Instead trust and remember that God’s plan for you is shalom — goodness, joy, peace, health, prosperity, and wellbeing, and God is willing this in your life!

Wonderful interfaith event

Published on by lindseybiggsLeave a comment

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I am grateful I had the privilege of being on the planning committee for this wonderful interfaith event. This was the 38th Annual Women’s Interfaith Conference in St. Louis, Missouri.

A beautiful group of women have been planning these wonderful conferences each year since the early 80’s. There is a new topic each year. The theme this year was “Holy Days – What, When, How”.

I loved learning about the diverse faith practices of each of the faith traditions represented. From Ramadan to Rosh Hashanah, Easter to Buddha’s Birthday, we had the opportunity to learn about each these diverse holy days and what they mean to these women of faith.

My favorite portion were these final questions: what do the holy days mean to you, what language do you pray in, and how can we carry the peace-building message of interfaith to the world.

There was such an atmosphere of peace, respect, and inclusion in the room. The qualities of kindness, thoughtfulness, and love were truly uplifting.

It is affirming to see what is possible in the example this diverse group of women sitting in the same room, listening to one another, and sharing their stories. It inspires hope!