Ordinary Time

Pause

“If God had a face what would it look like? […]
What if God was one of us?
Just a slob like one of us
Just a stranger on the bus
Tryin' to make his way home?”

Joan Osborne, “One of Us”

This 90s pop song poses thought-provoking questions. What does God look like? How do we know if God is in our midst? Would we recognize Jesus if he were sitting beside us? The Spirit of God is in our midst today, but do we take the time to see God there?

Let us take time now to focus on being people of God who recognize and welcome Jesus, not only in our hearts but also into our daily living.

Listen

Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come into his presence with singing.

Know that the Lord is God. It is he that made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

Psalm 100:1-3

Think

Come into God’s presence with singing! Our scripture today reminds us that as people of God we are called to give thanks to our Lord for all that God has done for us, by making a joyful noise… singing a song, doing a dance, reciting some Scripture.

Why are we thankful? God has made us into God’s image, God has claimed us as God’s own, and it is our Lord who is our Shepherd, who protects and provides for us. That’s a lot to be thankful for! What are you thankful for today? How have you seen our Lord working in your life lately? How will you make a joyful noise?

Elizabeth Cluff

Pray

Thank you God, for all that you do for me! Thank you for calling me your beloved child. Thank you for creating me in your image. Thank you for putting people in my life who remind me you are near. Thank you, thank you, thank you! Amen.

Go

Where do you see God in your life today? Go out looking for God in your midst. Say hello to your Lord!

If you don’t see God, then maybe God is calling YOU to be Jesus for someone else. Open the door for a stranger, put down your phone to say hello to the cashier at the store, help someone out just because.

Wherever you go, God is sending you there for a reason!