You're listening to Encounter, a simple daily podcast of sacred and mindful meditations

to help you encounter the divine presence of God all throughout your day.

If you want to have free access to the entire library of 500 meditations, I encourage

you to download the Encountering Peace app where all the meditations are free as they should be.

Ludwig von Beethoven was a German composer in the late 1700s and remains one of the most

recognized and influential musicians of all time. He wrote nine symphonies, 32 piano sonatas,

one opera, five piano concertos and many chamber works, but his symphony number nine in D minor,

the ode to joy, was his final complete work. What is truly astounding about this piece

was that he was rapidly losing his hearing while writing it and was almost entirely deaf during

the first performance in 1824. In fact, he had to be tapped on the shoulder to turn around and face

the standing ovation. He couldn't even hear the clapping. He once said that the vibration in the

breath of God's breath speaks to the souls of men. Music is the language of God. So let us develop

to the maximum the gifts that God has given us. Will this meditation from Genesis chapter one

is a reflection on just that, maximizing the gifts that God has given us,

realizing that God created each of us in his own likeness. He created us to be like himself.

Each of us unique gifts to the world for his glory. So to begin, whether it's sunset

or opening your eyes to the sun above, allow the next 15 minutes to be a sanctuary,

to complete the gift of God that is you, born of the likeness of all creation.

Allow your breathing to resolve and your eyes to close. This settled deeper into wherever you are

and start to center on the divine image. This holy time of his creation,

the moment of silent reflection, centering on the likeness of God, spirit, and sun.

Continue by responding to this passage now from Ephesians chapter two, and as I lead us,

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