Ordinary Time

Pause

God be the love to search and keep me
God be the prayer to move my voice
God be the strength to now uphold me
O Christ, surround me
O Christ, surround me

from “O Christ, Surround Me” by Richard Bruxvoort Colligan (2004)

Listen

Therefore, let’s draw near with a genuine heart with the certainty that our faith gives us, since our hearts are sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies are washed with pure water.

Let’s hold on to the confession of our hope without wavering, because the one who made the promises is reliable.

And let us consider each other carefully for the purpose of sparking love and good deeds. Don’t stop meeting together with other believers, which some people have gotten into the habit of doing. Instead, encourage each other, especially as you see the day drawing near.

Hebrews 10:22-25

Think

There’s plenty of uncertainty in our lives. We wonder what to study in school, what will happen after we graduate, where our next job will be…

But these verses from Hebrews promise us certainty, and the only requirements are a genuine heart and hope. Those things are easier said than done sometimes, but keeping them up is made a little more manageable when we weave faithfulness into our daily lives and when we do that together. Do you have a community of faith where you can read the Bible or ask questions or talk about God’s work in the world? (If not, where might you find one?)

The hopeful faith that carries us through life’s ups and downs is the kind of faith that calls us to respond. What will you do today or this week to give thanks to God and encourage your neighbors?

Allison Wehrung

Pray

God, fill me with hope and trust in you, so I might respond faithfully to your work in this world. In the many seasons of life, keep my faith a constant. Amen.

Go

With a hopeful heart and Spirit-filled steps,

Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.