Daily Scripture Reading:
Read Psalm 139
vs. 1-3 – “O Lord, you have searched me and known me. You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from far away. You search out my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways.”
Have you ever been riding down the street, maybe in your own neighborhood, and noticed a house that you’ve “never seen” before? Oh, you’ve ridden by the house hundreds of times but you’ve never NOTICED it? I mean really seen it.
We do this in life too often. We just go along our way, oblivious to the world around us. We don’t notice the person in need, the sunset or the smell of the flowers. Children often notice the world around us so much quicker. “Mom, don’t step on that ladybug!” “Mom, look at that bunny in the yard!”
Practicing Sabbath increases our margin to live lives of “notice”. We are more conscious of God’s world around us. We also more readily see those “sabbath moments” when God’s presence breaks into our ordinary world and brings us back to the source of our strength.
We can also practice sabbath moments by allowing some ordinary occurrence be a reminder to stop and offer a prayer. Every time you hear the siren of an ambulance or a fire truck, pray for the workers and the people in distress. Every time you wash your hands, use the time to ask for God’s peace and strength in your life. Allow God to bring you back and renew you through the simple sabbath moments of your day.
Prayer: Holy God, thank you that you know me. You know my joys, my concerns, and my every need. Help me, O Lord, to know You in the little moments throughout the day. May those sabbath moments bring me back to You and give me strength. In Christ’s name I pray, Amen.
Reflection Question and/or Application for the Day:
Do you notice the world around you? What is one action you will do today to better “see” God’s people and God’s world?
Are you aware of God’s in-breaking throughout your day? What one action can you do today that will make you more aware?
Choose one common occurrence in your day and pray a simple prayer. Examples:
Lord, help me see you.
Jesus, speak to me today.
God, be my strength.
Lord, I choose to trust you.
What will you do today?
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Devotion from Building Margin for a Balanced Life, devotional book, small group study and sermon series
©Tim Reaves and Trish Archer
All rights reserved
Photo by Jon Strother
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