Ordinary Time

Pause

Look! I am doing a new thing; now it sprouts up; don't you recognize it? I'm making a way in the desert, paths in the wilderness.

God (Isaiah 43:19)

Pause. Breathe. Let go. Make space. Behold. God is about to do a new thing. Can you see it?

Listen

"You will be betrayed by your parents, brothers and sisters, relatives, and friends. They will execute some of you. Everyone will hate you because of my name. Still, not a hair on your heads will be lost. By holding fast, you will gain your lives."

Luke 21:16-19

Think

Hamilton: The Musical is the story of U.S. Treasury Secretary Alexander Hamilton and Vice President Aaron Burr. Throughout the play, the two men are held up as opposites. Hamilton is “non-stop”— full of energy, always working. His friends say he writes “like he’s running out of time.” Burr is the opposite. Hamilton often chides him for his lack of focus: “If you stand for nothing, Burr, what’ll you fall for?” He is patient, waiting to make a move, not wanting to make any mistakes.

I think we all have a bit of Hamilton and Burr in us. There are times when we rush ahead and other times when we cautiously wait. I don’t actually think one way is right and the other wrong. It seems like a balance is good. The author of Luke tells us that when hard times come, we need to “hold fast.” We can do that while charging ahead or holding still. When we root ourselves deeply in God, we know our source. We are anchored and secure.

Caela Simmons Wood

Pray

Holy One who dreamed new dreams into Jesus’s time, help me to hold fast. When the world feels like it’s spinning out of control, anchor me with your love. When I am waiting patiently for the next big thing, help me to stay deeply rooted in who you call me to be. Hold me tightly as I hold fast to you. Amen.

Go

We make space for newness, and God does not disappoint. Our cup is filled to overflowing with new life, new hope, new love. God is doing a new thing in our midst.

Let us go forth to share what we have received this day.