Ordinary Time 
Pause
We are on a journey to be more like Jesus – seeking ways to love God, love neighbor, seek peace, and do justice. This week's theme is about Being. In this moment, think about how difficult 'being' might be for many of our black and brown brothers and sisters... Now, listen for ways we can foster community where everyone can be and be together in grace, and in Christ.
Listen
Jacob left Beer-sheba and set out for Haran. He reached a certain place and spent the night there. When the sun had set, he took one of the stones at that place and put it near his head. Then he lay down there. He dreamed and saw a raised staircase, its foundation on earth and its top touching the sky, and God’s messengers were ascending and descending on it. Suddenly the Lord was standing on it and saying, “I am the Lord, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac. I will give you and your descendants the land on which you are lying. Your descendants will become like the dust of the earth; you will spread out to the west, east, north, and south. Every family of earth will be blessed because of you and your descendants.”
Genesis 28:10-14
Think
Teenagers, google “Stairway to Heaven” or ask your parents to hum the beginning guitar! When I read this passage, I think of that melody. In the song, the lady tries to buy a stairway to heaven. We can’t do that, but it’s a free gift from God given to us through Jesus.
I think Jacob was a good dreamer, because he knew how to be right where he was. There was purpose in his lying down. Being right where you are is something you learn, just like playing music or dancing.
Jacob comes from an important family in the Bible. His grandfather was Abraham, whom God told that his descendants would be as numerous as the stars in the sky. And here God tells Jacob, “Every family of earth will be blessed because of you and your descendants.”
The Bible tells us when we join the Christian faith, we are part of God’s family. So, the promises God made to Jacob partly come true through us. I think as Christians we participate with God in blessing every family on earth. Practice being right where you are today, and think on how you can bless a family in your life as you do.
David Burroughs
Pray
God, today I will practice being right where I am. Speak to me when I take time to be where I am. Whisper to me as I dream. I want to bless one of your families this week. Help me to know how I can do that. I pray that my creativity and activity will come from you. Amen.
Go
Take a moment and breath in these words: “Suddenly the Lord was saying, I am with you now, and will protect you wherever you go.”
