Ordinary Time

Pause

To be human is an incredible gift. At times we feel like we are on top of the world ready to conquer anything. Other times we feel so worn down and tired that we cannot take another step.

Remember that no matter what, we are God’s creation. God created us strong, capable, full of love, and easy to hurt.

So pause for a moment today and think about how to care for yourself and the lives around you with faithful love, grace, and understanding.

Listen

It was appropriate for God, for whom and through whom everything exists, to use experiences of suffering to make perfect the pioneer of salvation. This salvation belongs to many sons and daughters whom he’s leading to glory. This is because the one who makes people holy and the people who are being made holy all come from one source. That is why Jesus isn’t ashamed to call them brothers and sisters when he says,

I will publicly announce your name to my brothers and sisters. I will praise you in the middle of the assembly.

Hebrews 2:10-12

Think

This is one of my favorite passages in the Bible. How cool is it to think about us and Jesus coming from the same place, from the same God?!

I always get really excited when I meet people from my hometown or who went to the same college I went to. We share something in common, something that bonds us no matter what other differences we have.

We are bonded to Jesus in many ways, but I would venture to say this is one of the most significant. We are cut from the same cloth, we are both gifts from God, and we are both people of God. That truth helps me so much to feel connected to Christ, to feel worthy of his love, and to feel capable in following his example. What an incredible gift God has given to us. I am not ashamed to call Jesus “brother.” How will you live unashamedly connected to God?

Ashley Lytle

Pray

Creator of all that exists, you have shown your power and wisdom through the life and death of Jesus Christ. Fill me and all your children with the courage and wisdom announce your name to all. In the strength of your love, Amen.

Go

Go and bask in God’s creation;

Go and open your eyes to see what lives, breathes, swirls, and twirls around you;

Go and care for the people you love and for those you do not yet love;

Go and ask for help;

Go and show God’s glory through your incredible humanity!