Ordinary Time

Pause

It is often necessary to step back and look at something from a different point of view. One of Jesus’ many gifts was the ability to make people see something seemingly ordinary from a completely new perspective.

As you go about your day, allow Jesus to help you keep things—good and bad—in perspective.

Listen

The heavens are telling the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims his handiwork. Day to day pours forth speech, and night to night declares knowledge.

There is no speech, nor are there words; their voice is not heard; yet their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In the heavens he has set a tent for the sun, which comes out like a bridegroom from his wedding canopy, and like a strong man runs its course with joy.

Its rising is from the end of the heavens, and its circuit to the end of them; and nothing is hid from its heat. The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the decrees of the Lord are sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is clear, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever; the ordinances of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.

More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey, and drippings of the honeycomb. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

Psalm 19:1-10; 14

Think

At some point in your life, you’ve probably looked out over a deep green valley, a calm lake, or up a mountainside trail, and it has made you think about the beauty of God’s creation. We often see God’s majesty reflected in nature.

Most likely, when someone talks about the Old Testament law, your mind doesn’t immediately think about it as the reflection of God. We generally don’t regard the law as something that displays God’s beauty. This psalm, however, reminds us God is reflected in more places than we realize—in nature, yes, but also in the law.

Jesus saw God in the fishermen, tax collectors, widows, and children. Jesus is shifting our perspective to show us the reflection of God in new ways.

Where will you find God in an unexpected place today?

Chris Cherry

Pray

Creator of beauty, I want to see you. Show me your reflection in a new way today. Allow me to see your glory in the unexpected. Amen.

Go

It’s easy to only think about things from our one, limited perspective. Jesus pushes us to see differently.

Allow yourself to be challenged. Allow your eyes to be opened. Allow your life to be changed.

Go now, and let the value of knowing Jesus change the lens through which you see the world.