Become More

Imagine highlighting the strengths within you. We often have a tendency to view ourselves and our communities through the lens of what is lacking or broken, much like a red pen correcting mistakes. But what if we adopted a 'green pen' perspective? This is about intentionally recognizing and celebrating the gifts, strengths, and assets that already exist. Whether in our personal lives or in our communities, shifting our focus to inherent worth and present capabilities can unlock incredible potential and foster transformation. This approach affirms that God has already planted seeds of solution and goodness, and our task is to water what is already there, seeing the divine image in all people.

Today, instead of critiquing something, identify a strength or positive quality in a person or situation. Let us pray: Holy One, grant us the vision to see the inherent gifts and strengths in ourselves and our communities, and inspire us to nurture them. Amen.

Center your mind on what is good. We have the remarkable ability to choose what we focus our attention on. Just as a highlighter draws our eyes to what is important on a page, we are encouraged to actively seek out and highlight the good in our lives and in the world. This means intentionally dwelling on whatever is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, and commendable. This is a spiritual discipline that shifts our perspective from dwelling on what is wrong or lacking to appreciating the abundant grace already present. By consciously focusing on these virtues, we train our minds to see the divine fingerprints in everyday moments, cultivating a spirit of gratitude and hope.

Today, make a mental note of three specific instances where you witness something true, honorable, or lovely. Let us pray: Loving God, open our eyes to see the truth, honor, and beauty around us, and guide our minds to dwell on all that is good. Amen.

Breathe in peace, exhale worry. Life can often leave us feeling pulled in many directions, with a mind divided by concerns and anxieties. Yet, the scripture invites us to a different way of being: to surrender our worries through prayer and humble requests, always accompanied by thanksgiving. This practice is not about ignoring difficulties, but about entrusting them to the Divine, trusting that the Holy One is actively involved in our lives. As we offer our concerns, a profound peace, one that defies logical explanation, can guard our hearts and minds. This divine peace acts as a protective shield, allowing us to navigate life's uncertainties with a calm and centered spirit.

Today, identify one worry, offer it to God in prayer, and then give thanks for a blessing in your life. Let us pray: Holy One, we bring our divided minds and anxious hearts to you. May your peace, which surpasses all understanding, guard us always. Amen.

Take a deep breath and settle into this day. The call to rejoice always, even in challenging circumstances, reminds us that joy is not merely an emotion dependent on our surroundings, but a deliberate spiritual stance. It is a profound trust in the divine presence that undergirds all of life. Paul, writing from confinement, still encourages a spirit of gladness, suggesting that our inner disposition can remain steady and hopeful regardless of external pressures. This deep joy, rooted in the Divine, naturally flows into an attitude of gentleness towards all people. When we choose to perceive the world through this lens of gratitude, our interactions become softer, more compassionate, and reflective of the peace that dwells within us.

Today, intentionally pause to notice one small thing that brings you a sense of joy or gratitude. Let us pray: Loving God, help us to cultivate a heart that rejoices in your steadfast presence and expresses gentleness to everyone we encounter. Amen.

Are you constantly overwhelmed by the brokenness and negativity around you, struggling to see any good? Paul, writing from prison, reminds us in Philippians 4:4-9 that we have a choice about where we direct our attention. Discover how to "highlight" God's grace and peace already unfolding in the world, shifting your focus from what's wrong to celebrating the abundant good. Learn how this powerful perspective can transform your individual life and even entire communities, revealing the hope that is always present.

## Highlighting God's Goodness

Imagine the humble highlighter: a tool not for adding new words to a page, but for emphasizing what's already there. It helps you see the crucial passages, the points you want to remember. This simple idea stands in stark contrast to the 'red pen effect,' where we often focus on mistakes and what's wrong. Think of a teacher marking every error with a bright red pen, making shortcomings stand out. But what if, like a creative teacher who used a green pen, we chose instead to highlight what was done well, the moments of truth, beauty, and grace already present? This shift changes the entire conversation.

This call to see and highlight the good is at the heart of Paul's encouragement to the Philippians. He urges them (and us) to focus on 'whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable.' This isn't about ignoring life's struggles or difficulties; rather, it's about choosing to see that God's presence, God's grace, and God's Kingdom are always unfolding around us, whether we immediately perceive them or not. Our Wesleyan tradition reminds us of prevenient grace, affirming that God is always at work, planting seeds of goodness and solutions even in the most challenging situations. We don't have to create God's goodness; it is already woven into the fabric of life, within each person, and within our communities. By actively seeking and highlighting these gifts and graces, we affirm the inherent sacred worth in ourselves and in our neighbors. This practice moves us towards both personal and social holiness, as we participate in recognizing and amplifying the divine goodness that is already here.

**Next Step:**

For the next week, practice using a 'green pen' perspective. Each day, consciously look for and identify three specific instances of 'whatever is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, or commendable' in your own life, your community, or the wider world. You might write them down or simply acknowledge them in your thoughts, actively choosing to highlight God's goodness.

**Prayer:**

Gracious God, open our eyes to see your Kingdom unfolding around us. Help us to highlight the good, the true, and the beautiful, recognizing your abundant grace in every moment. May we live with gratitude, seeking to amplify your love and peace in the world.

Breathe in grace, and breathe out the intention to share it with the world. Every message we send, every word we utter, presents a choice: will it be a keystroke of grace or something else? We are invited to ask ourselves a simple, yet profound, question: Is this message about loving God, loving neighbor, or loving myself? Is it about building someone up, letting them know they are cared for and loved? If our communication puts life, love, and peace into the world, then we are called to hit "send" every time. We are called to be intentional in our interactions, transforming everyday communication into acts of ministry and expressions of our faith, remembering that God's world desperately needs more of this intentional love.

Today, text or call someone who helped shape your spiritual foundation or character, expressing your gratitude for their influence. Let us pray: Creator God, inspire us to use all our means of communication to spread your love, peace, and truth, building up your Kingdom with every word. Amen.

Take a deep breath, mindful of the connections that bind us as siblings in Christ. In times of vulnerability or crisis, simply knowing that someone is there, listening, and caring can be a lifeline. This profound need for connection often manifests in unexpected ways, even through technology. While we may not always have solutions to every problem, we possess the power to offer our presence and our love. To tell someone they are not alone, that they are loved, and that we are willing to listen, is a powerful act of grace. It is a tangible expression of practical faith, demonstrating social holiness by offering comfort and support to our neighbors in need.

Today, reach out to someone you suspect might be feeling isolated or struggling, even if it is just a simple check-in message. Let us pray: Sustaining God, help us to be attentive and compassionate presences in the lives of others, offering love and care when it is most needed. Amen.

As you breathe, release any burdens of past hurts, making space for healing. It is tempting to hold onto anger or seek retribution when we feel wronged. However, the path of Jesus calls us to a radical way: to forgive one another, just as God in Christ has forgiven us. This does not mean excusing harmful actions, but rather releasing the hold that bitterness and resentment have on our own hearts. Forgiveness is a profound act of personal and social holiness, a way of stepping out of cycles of retaliation and choosing instead to extend compassion. It is a recognition that justice ultimately belongs to God, and our highest calling is to let go of grudges and cultivate tenderheartedness.

Today, reflect on someone you might be holding a grudge against. Pray for them, and for your own heart to find release. Let us pray: Loving God, soften our hearts and empower us to forgive as we have been forgiven, releasing bitterness and embracing your boundless love. Amen.

Breathe deeply, opening your heart to the power of your spoken and written words. Our words carry immense power. Ephesians reminds us to let "no evil talk come out of our mouths, but only what is useful for building up as there is need, so that our words may give grace to those who hear." In a world that often emphasizes status or seeks to belittle, we are called to a different way. The Divine invites us to use our voices and our keystrokes to affirm, to encourage, and to uplift. Every interaction, whether spoken or written, is an opportunity to extend grace, reflecting the inherent sacred worth of every person we encounter. Let us choose to be conduits of blessing and encouragement.

Today, deliberately offer a genuine compliment or word of encouragement to at least one person, in person or through a message. Let us pray: Holy One, guide our tongues and our fingers, that our words may always sow seeds of grace and build up your beloved children. Amen.