When is the last time you did a high-five to yourself? I hope you are not thinking Christine, have you lost your mind? Rest assured I have not, and I hope you will agree after reading further.
To high-five myself was something I heard in passing at a retreat. There was not really an explanation given other than saying to do it in front of a mirror. So truth be told, I tried it for the first time a few days later. Guess what happened? I ended up smiling at what I saw in the mirror, which surprised me.
If you are like me, maybe you have only done a high-five with other people. What are some reasons we high-five?
Maybe to…
… celebrate a great accomplishment.
… give positive reinforcement.
… build team or individual spirit.
… show someone they are seen and valued.
Photo courtesy of Tendenci Software under Creative Commons License (CC BY 2.0)
Do you agree it is quite simple and might be beneficial to give yourself a high-five each day? It gives us a chance to look in the mirror and see not only God’s reflection but also to celebrate the goodness of God that is in us. I see it as an opportunity to love ourselves as God does, which is usually harder for us. Look into your eyes that lead to the beauty of your heart and soul. God is our biggest cheerleader since He created us in love. What did Jesus tell us?
Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” –Matthew 22:37-39 (NIV)
Jesus shared how the most important thing we can do is to love God with all of our heart, soul, and mind—the totality of us. Then we need to love equally both ourselves and everyone else that God created. Doesn’t it make sense that the degree that we love ourselves is the degree to which we love others? The love we have for ourselves is foundational to our relationship with others. As we grow in loving ourselves, we will find that our relationships and love for others will grow too.
What are some reasons to high-five ourselves as we celebrate ourselves in the mirror daily, even multiple times?
We are created in the image and likeness of God.
Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day. –Genesis 1:26-27, 31 (NIV)
One of the greatest blessings of being God’s creation of humankind is that we are made in His image and likeness. No other creation can say that. Notice how this day of creation says “it was very good,” while the other days say “good.” What a gift it is to live knowing we reflect and express the image of God.
We are wonderfully made by God.
For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. –Psalm 139:13-14 (NIV)
How amazing is God to have knit everyone, which includes you and me, together in our mother’s womb? You were created on purpose for His purpose. He made each of us unique and wonderful for the glory of His name. Everything God makes, does, and orchestrates in this world is beautiful too. He is the Creator of all.
We can do amazing things with God.
God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us. Glory to God in the church! Glory to God in the Messiah, in Jesus! Glory down all the generations! Glory through all millennia! Oh, yes! –Ephesians 3:20-21 (MSG)
Our God is so awesome that He left us the Spirit that helps guide us daily. He is often the still, small voice that helps direct our paths and actions. He nudges gently and guides our lives as we try to glorify God with all we do in His name. We are only able to do these things because of the Spirit’s power—we can do nothing on our own.
We are seen and valued by God.
For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him… –2 Chronicles 16:9 (ESV)
Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. –Matthew 10:29-31 (NIV)
God always sees us because He is omnipresent, always being everywhere. We are important to God because He created us in love and loves us unconditionally all the time. He wants us to have hearts full of love as we strive to live blameless and righteous lives. God values and cares for us even more than He does the small sparrows, which are always under His protection. What a great God we have!
Be encouraged this week to…
… look in the mirror at least once a day and give yourself a high-five.
… work on loving yourself as much as you love others.
… reflect on how you are made in God’s image and likeness.
… thank God for you being wonderfully and fearfully made.
… ask God what amazing things you can do with Him.
… live in delight knowing you are seen and valued by God.
Time to high-five and smile rejoicing with God’s goodness!
REFLECTION:
Do you need God’s help to love yourself as much as you love your neighbor?
What is something amazing God has helped you accomplish?
May you take to heart and delight in these quotes when you are looking in the mirror and giving yourself a high-five–rejoicing in your beauty just like God does!
“Remarkably, the Lord made you in His very own image. That means your life is sacred. It has value. You have been made by love and with love. It is hard to believe, but you look a lot like God.” ~ Allen Hunt
“Be yourself; everybody else is taken.” ~ Oscar Wilde
Are you willing to join with me to start giving yourself a high-five throughout the day when looking in the mirror? Let me know what benefits you receive from doing it!
But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” –1 Samuel 16:7 (ESV)
