Ordinary Time

Pause

Teach me to listen, Lord.

Teach me to pray, Lord.

Teach me to learn, Lord.

Teach me to help others, Lord.

Listen

Heaven is declaring God’s glory; the sky is proclaiming his handiwork. One day gushes the news to the next, and one night informs another what needs to be known. Of course, there’s no speech, no words— their voices can’t be heard— but their sound extends throughout the world; their words reach the ends of the earth.

God has made a tent in heaven for the sun. The sun is like a groom coming out of his honeymoon suite; like a warrior, it thrills at running its course. It rises in one end of the sky; its circuit is complete at the other. Nothing escapes its heat.

Psalm 19:1-6

Think

When I say the word “teacher” most of us could start rattling off a list of actual people whose classes we attend every day. Some of them we like, of course. Others of them we could do without. But have you ever thought of our surroundings as teachers too?

The Psalm for today says that “the heavens keep telling the wonders of God,” and although “they don’t speak a word . . . their message reaches the earth.”

Creation has so much to tell us about God!

So try this today. After you finish this devotion, put on your shoes, turn off your phone or computer and go outside and just sit for the next five minutes. If it is raining or snowing just move toward a window. Then open your eyes. Notice the colors, the sounds, the smells. Think about what your particular neighborhood reflects back to you about God. If nothing comes right away, just be still. Breath in and breathe out. Know that God of all creation is with you in this day.

Elizabeth Evans Hagan

Pray

Lord, teach me to turn off technology. Open my eyes to the teachers you have given me in the grass, the trees, and the sky. For there is nowhere I can go away from your presence! Amen.

Go

God’s grace and peace offers us many opportunities to learn and serve.

As you go, be open to the Spirit!