“In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”
Matthew 5:16

One does not typically look at a mushroom and say, “Wow, that fungi sure is beautiful!” But I do. There is beauty to be seen in every form of life, if we would only take the time to recognize it.

This mushroom is fulfilling its purpose and doing it well. It grew near my deck with little light reaching it, and it blossomed. The red top stood out and caught my attention, so I got down to ground level and took this photo.

Now regardless of whether I saw it or not, this little mushroom was giving glory to God by growing in the shade, by its action of symbiosis, and by decomposing organic matter. Long after I took this photo, the mushroom continued to do its job. It wasn’t performing for me, but it was for God. It had a part to play, and it did that very well, all the while glowing this brilliant red.

“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.”
2 Timothy 2:15

For us, our job is to love. It is our actions which stem from our hearts that should be honoring to Him. We don’t do this for our own glory, but for God the Father’s glory. That is our job. To do so makes us beautiful on the inside.

He has already made us beautiful on the outside. He doesn’t see us as ugly or imperfect, but sees us as his children. He doesn’t ask himself, “Why did I give her that nose?”, or “Was it a mistake to let him be born handicapped?” No, we were created just the way He wanted us to be. God does not make mistakes.

“I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.”
Psalm 139:14

Today, take a moment to appreciate your differences. You are unique. You are special. You are exactly how God made you. You are highly valued and cherished by your Creator.

So let’s get out there and let the light of Jesus shine from the inside out! Let’s serve Him with gladness, in all that we do; whether it be at your job, cleaning your home, or paying bills. Nothing is mundane or pointless, if we are doing it as though it’s for our Lord. That is beautiful to God. That is also beautiful to those that recognize your work for Him.

With that being said, find someone else that is doing their job well, and give them thanks and credit for their job well done. It will make their day!!

“And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
Colossians 3:17

Food for thought: “Every job is good if you do your best and work hard. A man who works hard stinks only to the ones that have nothing to do but smell.” Laura Ingalls Wilder

Fun facts: 1. Mushrooms are more closely related to human DNA than to plant DNA. 2. The antibiotic penicillin was derived from the fungal species Penicillium. 3. A single Portabella mushroom can contain more potassium than a single banana. 4. There are over 30 species of mushroom that actually glow in the dark.

Photo by: Kari Wiseman – Strawberry mushroom