Thoughts for the Day

To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
O my God, in you I trust...

Make me to know your ways, O Lord;
teach me your paths.
Lead me in your truth, and teach me,
for you are the God of my salvation;
for you I wait all day long.

Be mindful of your mercy, O Lord, and of your steadfast love,
for they have been from of old.
Do not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions;
according to your steadfast love remember me,
for your goodness’ sake, O Lord!

Good and upright is the Lord;
therefore he instructs sinners in the way.
He leads the humble in what is right,
and teaches the humble his way.
All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness,
for those who keep his covenant and his decrees.

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

I was walking along the street of an old town in the Midlands ("no name, no pack drill" as my father would have said), trying to avoid the cardboard and plastic rubbish thrown on the street from a local fast-food shop, and not walk into the empty stalls in the middle of the market square. I was moaning away to myself as to why people would just throw their rubbish on the ground and not find a bin to put it in, or why the town council didn't charge the shop to clear up the area outside their shop. Suddenly the chimes of a bell rang out, and I looked up. Above me was a clock tower, and behind and around it were ancient buildings with beautiful Victorian and Georgian windows and roof-lines. My eyes had only been on the pavement and where I was treading and I had completely missed seeing the beauty of the buildings above.

Psalm 25 reminds me of my experience that day. We need to lift our eyes from our phones with their social media sites, and address our souls to God. Many of us start a conversation with each other and while listening to them will address our attention back to the phone! We can't do this with God, we must give all our attention to Him - not just to praise Him, but to learn from Him, and to receive mercy from Him. We will be amazed at how our lives will change!

Lord of heaven and earth,
this day may we take our eyes from the dross
and mess of everyday things,
and lift our souls to You.
We praise Your name,
ask You to teach us Your ways,
grant us mercy,
and lead us into the future
Amen.