Listen

When you come to appear before me, who asked this from you, this trampling of my temple’s courts? Stop bringing worthless offerings. Your incense repulses me. New moon, sabbath, and the calling of an assembly— I can’t stand wickedness with celebration! I hate your new moons and your festivals. They’ve become a burden that I’m tired of bearing. When you extend your hands, I’ll hide my eyes from you. Even when you pray for a long time, I won’t listen. Your hands are stained with blood.

Isaiah 1:12-15

Think

This week we are speaking of turning from old ways. Today’s verses reveal a reaction to the people of Judea that had to be unexpected. The old ways of approaching God, thought to be enough, clearly were not.

Have you found this to be true in your life – times when old ways were not enough? I am a professor who is beginning a new term this very day. In recent days, I’ve busied myself with course planning. I’ve just posted syllabi and am readying for my first classes this week. Each year I think about what needs to change. Are there new things to emphasize, new ways to deliver my content? This process is an intentional review of what I need to bring to my classroom.

Too often, I don’t follow this process in my faith life. I follow my “old ways” of engaging God with little regard for what I might need to change. This calls for a little introspection. I’m going to make an effort this day. What about you?

Bill Ogletree

Pray

Lord, make me an instrument for your will.

Break me out of old ways and open my heart to serving you wherever you lead.

Help me to look carefully at our relationship and to seek your ways.

Amen.

Go

Leave this time, ripe for new possibilities.

Step out of the methodical approach to serving God and into an authentic, intentional faith.

“Make yourselves holy! Tomorrow the Lord will do wonderful things among you.” (Joshua 3:5)