Ordinary Time

Pause

Today is a busy day. It is full of things that must get done and people that must be seen. With the help of God, I can be peace in every encounter. With the help of God I can be a holy presence in every conversation.  With the help of God I can place the thumbprint of the divine on every assignment. With God’s help I will be the best version of myself today.

Offer space in a busy day for the God who has already gone before you into it, and trust in the help that will come.

Listen

Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death—even death on a cross.Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Philippians 2:5-11

Think

When I was a kid, I loved getting my little brother in trouble. One day in middle school, I overheard my brother talking about something he had gotten away with, and I couldn’t wait to tell my parents! One of my mom’s friends had overheard the same conversation and looked at me and said, “just because you have the power to do something, doesn’t mean you should.”

The sick thing about having power is that after a while, the knowledge that you are powerful is not enough…you want to see that power in action. Those with power historically have not been very good to those without it, because, ironically, with power comes the fear of losing it. God’s Word teaches us, and the life of Jesus shows us, that we should be willing to empty ourselves of power to serve others and God’s Kingdom.  One way we participate in building the Kingdom of God here on earth is actively setting aside power for the good and empowerment of others.

Lucas Dorion

Pray

To be more like Christ today: God, give to us the strength to lay things down in our lives that make us feel powerful. May we, instead, use our gifts and advantages for the good of all your people. Amen.

Go

Go now into the world confident that you are not alone, and at peace knowing that God will be with you wherever you find yourself this day.