Pause

Approach God with quiet, gentle movements.

Refuse to be “loud” and eager to do the talking.

Come ready to bow down . . .

and listen . . .

and find purpose,

as one who remembers what it is to be less than holy.

Listen

Make your ways known to me, Lord; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth— teach it to me— because you are the God who saves me. I put my hope in you all day long. Lord, remember your compassion and faithful love— they are forever! But don’t remember the sins of my youth or my wrongdoing. Remember me only according to your faithful love for the sake of your goodness, Lord.

Psalm 25:4-7

Think

Shin Lim won America’s Got Talent in 2018. He performed an array of magic tricks using a deck of playing cards. Magicians never reveal how they accomplish impressive feats that captivate audiences.

God, on the other hand, willingly enlightens us. We find the Psalmist eager to know the ways of God. Asking God to reveal things that we fail to grasp or cannot see only happens when we get quiet and curious. Learning God’s ways requires us to acknowledge we don’t have all the answers. New questions emerge as we move from childhood into our youth years. God remains a wise resource as we evolve.

The biggest revelation we need to digest is knowing God redeems us. No part of us remains hidden from God’s view. God sees us for who we are, but does so through a lens of love. What a beautiful and curious thing for us to be the recipients of boundless mercy, grace, and forgiveness. The deck isn’t stacked against us. Thank you, Jesus!

Brian Abel

Pray

God, teach me. Lead me. Reveal yourself to me as I ask better questions, new questions. I will find you in the journey rather than the answers. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Go

Rise from a kneeling place.

Embrace God’s call to put others first today.

Resist the urge to find a spotlight.

Allow the light of God’s love to shine brightly, even boldly, through you.