Scripture: Psalm 25: 1-10
To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul. My God, I put my trust in you; let me not be put to shame, nor let my enemies triumph over me. Let none who look to you be put to shame; rather let those be put to shame who are treacherous. Show me your ways, O Lord, and teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; in you have I trusted all the day long. Remember, O Lord, your compassion and love, for they are from everlasting. Remember not the sins of my youth and my transgressions; remember me according to your steadfast love and for the sake of your goodness, O Lord. You are gracious and upright, O Lord; therefore you teach sinners in your way. You lead the lowly in justice and teach the lowly your way. All your paths, O Lord, are steadfast love and faithfulness to those who keep your covenant and your testimonies.
A Note to You:
Whenever I start out on a long trip, it takes me a few days to catch my bearings. I welcome the excitement of new endeavors. I also find myself a little disoriented; this is not as fun. What about you? How do you typically find yourself at the start of things?
Let me share a few things about the pattern of this spiritual guidebook that started five days ago. If you've been following each day then you might have noticed that each day consists of a three-step process. Breathing, reading, reflection, prayer, and committing to take action – all these things are proven ways of deepening your faith. Across the centuries, Christians have engaged in these practices to connect with God.
Today is Sunday, the first day of a brand new week. Since the early days of Christianity, it has been the day for worship. Centuries before there were church buildings, Christians came together on Sunday to read scripture, pray, and break bread. In the shadow of a hostile empire, fears, and brokenness, Sunday was a time for nurturing faith, communing together, and worshiping with thankful hearts. It remains a good way to start the week.
As much as I would like to worship with you today – that is not possible in our online connection. Perhaps, I will get a chance to worship with you if you are in the Burnsville/Savage area.
On Sundays throughout this online spiritual guidebook, I depart from the daily pattern. Instead of a story from Mark and a story from Walt – I share a reading from the book of Psalms. These ancient songs were used in worship and continue to connect our human condition with the steadfast love of God.
On Sunday, I will also set the stage for where you and I will be going in the coming week. Each week of this spiritual guidebook has a focus and invites a response.
When things get tough, you and I are often tempted to respond in ways that are not healthy for our relationships, bodies, and spirit. We may not even be aware of our ‘knee-jerk’ reactions in the midst of adversity and struggle.
But as spiritual creatures, we have a choice. Instead of reacting, we can respond. When Jesus taught about the closeness of God’s kingdom, he invited people to respond by turning to God (repenting) and trusting in God’ care.
As people of faith, when the path gets rocky, we can respond in ways that follow Jesus’ teaching. These ways are good for our spirits. They open possibilities and connections. They draw us into a community and life-giving relationships with others. They lead to insight, renewal, and hope.
This week, you will read stories about and be asked to consider the following focal statement:
When the path gets rocky, you might devalue your God-given worth. Jesus invites you to turn to God and remember you are a beloved child of God.
Thank you for opening your emails, breathing, reading, reflecting, praying, and making a plan to connect with others during this coming week.
In Christ,
Walt
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