Pause

God, give me courage to take on this day.

Jesus, give me words when I don’t know what to say.

Spirit, give me breath so I can work and play.

Listen

Act wisely toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity. Your speech should always be gracious and sprinkled with insight so that you may know how to respond to every person.

Colossians 4:5-6

Think

It seems like our worldview has become super suspicious and critical. People are so quick to be snarky and sarcastic, especially on social media and in school. There seems to be competition to get a laugh and a ton of likes by being clever with a put-down. And we try to be cool and accepted and affirmed by the crowd that seems to be in power.

But that’s not how God made us or how Jesus taught us. We are taught from a young age that we are to welcome the stranger, to listen before speaking, and to keep an open mind. What would it be like if we greeted new ideas with a question out of curiosity rather than immediately condemning something as wrong or bad?

I try to remember that if I want the freedom to disagree with you, then I need to be okay with you disagreeing with me. If we listen to one another with a curious spirit, we might change one another’s minds. Do you need a new approach?

Bronwyn Clark Skov

Pray

Holy One, bless me with a sense of curiosity and reassure me that I don’t need to always be in control. Help me to sense the right questions rather than quickly offering a first impression opinion. May my friends listen to me as deeply as I will try to listen to them. Amen.

Go

Let me be a friend to those who have few friends,

Let me find a friend when I feel lonely,

Let me walk away from danger to safety,

Help me walk in the light and love of Jesus.