Ordinary Time

Pause

“O Lord,
calm me into a quietness
that heals
and listens,
and molds my longings
and my passions,
my wounds,
and wonderings
into a more holy
and human
shape.”

Todd Loder, Guerrillas of Grace, 1984

Listen

During his days on earth, Christ offered prayers and requests with loud cries and tears as his sacrifices to the one who was able to save him from death. He was heard because of his godly devotion. Although he was a Son, he learned obedience from what he suffered. After he had been made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for everyone who obeys him. He was appointed by God to be a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek.

Hebrews 5:7-10

Think

My favorite story of Jesus is when he is in the Garden of Gethsemane. For me, this is when Jesus seems the most relatable. Matthew’s Gospel says Jesus threw himself to the ground in prayer to God. Jesus was in anguish and despair. This is the place where Jesus tells God he doesn’t want to take the hard road and asks God to make the way a little easier.

Last year, I had the unbelievable opportunity to stand in the Garden of Gethsemane. The weight of sadness in the garden permeates the space. With tears in my eyes, I found myself asking the same question Jesus asked: “Are you sure this is what you want with my life, God?”

It is okay for you to question God when your journey gets hard. God wants to dialogue with you in the good and bad times of your life. God will ultimately use you as a tool for God’s Kingdom of love to continue on earth as it is in heaven.

Sarah Briggs

Pray

God, thank you for listening when I pray. Help me to remember to come to you when my life seems void of direction. Thank you for teaching me to trust you, even when I do not see the path ahead of me. Amen.

Go

“It’s gonna be alright
Turn around and let back in the light
And joy will come
Like a bird in the morning sun
And all will be made well
Once again”

Josh Garrels, “Morning Light,” 2015