Listen

The Lord’s Instruction is perfect, reviving one’s very being. The Lord’s laws are faithful, making naive people wise. The Lord’s regulations are right, gladdening the heart. The Lord’s commands are pure, giving light to the eyes. Honoring the Lord is correct, lasting forever. The Lord’s judgments are true. All of these are righteous! They are more desirable than gold— than tons of pure gold! They are sweeter than honey— even dripping off the honeycomb! No doubt about it: your servant is enlightened by them; there is great reward in keeping them.

Psalm 19:7-11

Think

This passage focuses on the goodness of being faithful to God’s law. This was important for Jewish life. Yet, it wasn’t about following the law like we might follow rules in a classroom or in a game; it was about a way to live, a rhythm, to keep God in the center of their daily life.

When COVID hit, I spent the vast majority of that first summer at home. For the first time in my life, I felt borderline depressed. I went to a counselor to try to figure it out, and it finally hit me. Summer was an important time in my rhythm with God. I traveled and went to conferences to nourish my faith. That summer, I was just at home.

We need those things, whether it’s following God’s law or something else to keep us in rhythm. My summer rhythm, I learned, was especially important for me in keeping God in the center of my life. Do you have a rhythm with God? Is there something that you do regularly to keep God at your center?

Jeremy Wilhelmi

Pray

Compassionate God, when my faith starts to drift, guide me back to your path so that I might be as you created me to be. Help me find rhythms and practices that keep me grounded and rooted in you. Amen.

Go

Speak out, but speak kindly.

Speak boldly, but speak humbly.

Speak often, but don’t waste your words.

Speak passionately, but speak faithfully.

Speak the truth, but speak it in love.

Speak, but don’t forget to listen.