Ordinary Time

Pause

Choosing to unplug, even for a few minutes, can be scary. What if we miss the latest tweet, post, or pic? We don’t want to be left behind in the fast-paced world of our always plugged-in friends.

As much as we like being connected to an entire world at our fingertips, it’s important to step away sometimes. Because the spiritual life is about connecting to something deeper within.

Now’s the time! Take the next few moments to reconnect, refocus, and relax. God is eager to spend time with you.

Listen

Many people say, “We can’t find goodness anywhere. The light of your face has left us, Lord!”

But you have filled my heart with more joy than when their wheat and wine are everywhere!

Psalm 4:6-7

Think

Our culture tends to echo these same desires that we read of in today’s passage. “Shine on me, so the world will know how great I am!” “Make me look good, oh Lord!” These were the prayers the psalmist was hearing from many. Sometimes, we may find ourselves praying the same prayer. Thousands of years later, we are still seeking that special, new, shiny thing that lets the world know how great we are.

But the psalmist prays differently. The psalmist praises God for the joy in his heart that comes from knowing God’s steadfast love. He even suggests that there is no feast that could give him more happiness in his heart.

We know of this feast, though. Every time we are invited to the feast of the Lord’s Supper and taste the wheat and wine, we are reminded of how much God loves us and that there’s nothing we can do to ever change that.

Isn’t that one gift more precious than any new, shiny thing?

John McCrosky

Pray

Giver of life, through the abundance of our stuff, we seek comfort. Refocus our hearts on your abundant love, your gift of life where we can truly find rest. Amen.

Go

When we encounter Christ, we are changed. Our faith, our hopes, our actions. Nothing is left the same.

What would happen if all we did and said reflected this transformative work that the living God is doing in us? What further changes would take place in our own hearts and in the world around us?

Go now, being bold enough to hope in this change.