Ordinary Time

Pause

Outsiders.

In loneliness, sickness, poverty, hunger, or neglect, they suffer quietly.

Outsiders sit alone eating their lunch. They stay at home, not invited.

But they have not been forgotten by God.

Listen

Naaman arrived with his horses and chariots. He stopped at the door of Elisha’s house. Elisha sent out a messenger who said, “Go and wash seven times in the Jordan River. Then your skin will be restored and become clean.”

But Naaman went away in anger. He said, “I thought for sure that he’d come out, stand and call on the name of the Lord his God, wave his hand over the bad spot, and cure the skin disease. Aren’t the rivers in Damascus, the Abana and the Pharpar, better than all Israel’s waters? Couldn’t I wash in them and get clean?” So he turned away and proceeded to leave in anger.

2 Kings 5:9-12

Think

K.I.S.S. (keep it simple, stupid!) Wherever the expression originated, it is one needed frequently by most of us. We over-think, over-expect, and over-react. A lot of trouble can be avoided by just keeping it simple.

Naaman was out of his comfort zone. Other places were more familiar. He was expecting the miraculous, looking for the spectacular. The instructions were simple. The directions were easy. Naaman was making it too hard. No wonder he stormed off in anger.

Do you believe that with God nothing is impossible? When do you make God’s promises too hard or complicated? Where could simple faith, simple trust, simple action take you today?

James R. Smith

Pray

God, forgive me when I get ahead of you. Forgive me when all I can see is my perspective or my plans, not yours. Help me to be mindful of your ways and to walk with you in simple trust. Amen.

Go

Jesus heals that which is broken and makes it stronger in the broken places.

In a fast-paced, diverse society, outsiders are all around.

Your word, your warmth, your walk, your friendliness can build a bridge of healing today.