Ordinary Time 
Pause
On the Discovery Channel show Dirty Jobs, host Mike Rowe took on some of the most challenging jobs that vary from absolutely disgusting to humanly impossible. While we watch, we wonder, how can a person do that task day after day? We acknowledge that someone has to do it – please, just not me!
This may be the very response God hears when a mere mortal gets the call to be a prophet. Yes – someone needs to go forth and proclaim What the Lord says … God’s call is clear, commanding, and convincing. It’s a Dirty Job with little to no reward – sometimes resulting in death. Episode “The Prophet’s Call” can be seen this week on d365.org.
Listen
I raise my eyes to you — you who rule heaven.
Just as the eyes of servants attend to their masters’ hand, just as the eyes of a female servant attends to her mistress’ hand— that’s how our eyes attend to the Lord our God until he has mercy on us.
Psalm 123:1-2
Think
Ambrose is my 4 year old Yorkie shadow. He sees and hears every move I make. There are no steps I take that he is not by my side … and that does include sleeping with his head on my knee cap at night. His world and his life are dependent on me. He may only be a dog but he knows that with me he is safe and fed, groomed, and loved. His complete devotion is in response to my care-giving, love, and of course – the goodie-goodies.
The Psalmist today describes our devotion to God as our Master in a similar way. Being God’s children, we are to completely depend on the care, commands, and calls that come our way. We know we are pretty good at keeping up with the news, our favorite teams, maybe even the Kardashians, but what about our Lord God? As the Psalmist asks, do our eyes (and heart) attend the Lord our God, or are we too easily distracted chasing the squirrels in our lives?
Natalie Nicholas Adams
Pray
Just how well do I know your voice, Lord God? Help me to listen and respond in love and obedience whenever you call. May my day be devoted to you. Amen.
Go
We are people of habits and routines. Our comfort zones include safe places, kind people, good food, and ready-made excuses. And in our comfort zones we often find our rhythms of grace.
But … what if today God is calling you to a new place, a new face, or a never tried skill?! There may never be a thank you or any applause, but God will supply all you need to do what is being asked of you.
As you go, remember that God does not call the prepared – God prepares the called.
