Listen

Let God grant us grace and bless us; let God make his face shine on us, Selah so that your way becomes known on earth, so that your salvation becomes known among all the nations.

Psalm 67:1-2

Think

It was almost evening, and we had the next few hours to ourselves. Granted some free time by the camp counselors, we middle school kids away from our parents at summer camp could do whatever we wanted. For once, I didn’t run off with everyone else; I just sat right there by the lake to watch the sunset with a few friends.

Then someone picked up a guitar and started playing. No one said to, but everyone started singing along. We sang the words, over and over, in what feels to this day like the purest moment of praise I have ever experienced.

That song was “Sanctuary” by John W. Thompson and Randy Scruggs, and I chose one of its verses for this week’s Pause statement because in that moment, I felt like God opened my heart. I felt like the Lord’s face shone upon our little choir by the lake. May you receive such grace, such blessings, so that your heart may be opened, and our Lord’s way be known in all the earth!

Sarah Boatwright

Pray

Help me, O Lord, to sing your praises in both word and deed.

Amen.

Go

O teach my heart to know Your Word
And treasure all that I have heard
O raise this everlasting seed
To bear the fruit of Christ in me

Abe and Liza Philip in “O Teach My Heart to Love Your Word” (2009)