Ordinary Time

Pause

“O Lord,
calm me into a quietness
that heals
and listens,
and molds my longings
and my passions,
my wounds,
and wonderings
into a more holy
and human
shape.”

Todd Loder, Guerrillas of Grace, 1984

Listen

It was certainly our sickness that he carried, and our sufferings that he bore, but we thought him afflicted, struck down by God and tormented. He was pierced because of our rebellions and crushed because of our crimes. He bore the punishment that made us whole; by his wounds we are healed. Like sheep we had all wandered away, each going its own way, but the Lord let fall on him all our crimes.

Isaiah 53:4-6

Think

Artist Brian Andreas, creator of the “StoryPeople” brand, writes short inspiring stories about life and illustrates them with beautiful colors and bright creatures. One of my favorite quips from Andreas is this: “There is a strength that comes from knowing you will die & still refusing to love with anything less than your whole self.”

This one sentence could sum up the ministry of Jesus and the life Christians are called to live. In the Gospels, Jesus talks a lot about giving up yourself in order to follow him. He says “all who lose their lives because of me will find their life” (Matthew 16:25). This means surrendering yourself to the abundant love of God and letting it envelop your whole being. Allowing this extravagant love to fill in the cracks of your brokenness will in turn help you to love yourself and the world with nothing but your entire heart.

Sarah Briggs

Pray

God, thank you for your abounding love, despite my brokenness. Help me to wash myself in your love, so that I may love your world with my whole self. Amen.

Go

“It’s gonna be alright
Turn around and let back in the light
And joy will come
Like a bird in the morning sun
And all will be made well
Once again”

Josh Garrels, “Morning Light,” 2015