Thoughts for the Day

As a deer longs for flowing streams,
so my soul longs for you, O God.
My soul thirsts for God,
for the living God.

These things I remember,
as I pour out my soul:
how I went with the throng,
and led them in procession
to the house of God
with glad shouts and songs of thanksgiving....

Why are you cast down, O my soul,
and why are you disquieted within me?
Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,
my help and my God.

(New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

Well, I agree there weren't 'throngs of people' attending our local church in Pembrokeshire when it was open, but now it's closed because of Covid 19, one does begin to long for the doors to open, even if it's not viable at present. (* Picture: St James' Church, Manorbier).

However, this passage from Psalm 42 brings something else to mind. The psalmist says he longs 'for the living God'. I wonder do we put other things in place of the 'living God'? Do we relegate Him to second, third, or fourth place, in our life? While putting our work, our family, or our health first (which seems laudible), where does God go?

Years ago when I went for selection as a Deaconess, I was married, 8 months pregnant, and had a four year old son, and the subject of priorities bothered me enormously for ages. My conclusion in the end? Hand it all over to God and ask for His help because I couldn't solve the problem!

Saturday 8th August, follow up thoughts

Heavenly Father,
sometimes our life gets in the way
of worshipping You,
and we make excuses
that other things are more important.
Help us to put You at the centre
of our life,
and involve You in everything we do.
Amen.