Feast in God’s Love
Norma Rockhold of Jefferson City, MO, USA
They shall come and sing aloud on the height of Zion, and they shall be radiant over the goodness of the Lord, over the grain, the wine, and the oil, and over the young of the flock and the herd; their life shall become like a watered garden, and they shall never languish again. Then shall the young women rejoice in the dance, and the young men and the old shall be merry. -Jeremiah 31:12-13
This morning I sit on my porch and soak in the beauty of God’s creation. My little hummingbird sits stubbornly on the tomato cage and refuses to go to the feeder.
We have been gone for five days and the feeder went dry. Who knows how many times he tried to feed and it was empty. Now it is clean and full, but he won’t even try it! So sad.
It is there for him. The food is abundant. It is FREE. All he needs to do is partake. It would give me great joy if he would come, but he sits stubbornly and gives up a chance to feast.
Then the Lord spoke to my inner being. “Every day you have the chance to feast with me-in quiet times, in study, in meditation. Every day it is there for you. It is free. It is abundant. And it would give me great joy if you would. But sometimes you just sit, and don’t take advantage of what is prepared for you.”
Am I like the little hummingbird? Do I give up a chance to feast in God’s love?
Prayer Phrase
Let your heart be broken for a world in need. -Bryan Jeffrey Leech, \xc2\xa9 1976 Fred Bock Music Company, Community of Christ Sings 353
Spiritual Practice
Lament
Lament is an expression of our grief, sorrow, and sometimes confession to God amid the brokenness, injustice, and suffering of the human family. Lament is a major theme of the psalms and an invitation to “let our hearts be broken” as we humbly pray for awareness of right and restorative action. Spend time each day this month practicing the prayer of Lament.
Loving God, break my heart open to my own and others’ suffering because of injustice. Help me stay with what is real even when it is uncomfortable.
Forgiving God, grow in me an awareness of the ways that I consciously and unconsciously contribute to systems of violence, suffering, and injustice.
Healing God, open my eyes to invitations to relieve the physical and spiritual suffering of others.
Today‘s Prayer for Peace
Engage in a daily practice of praying for peace in our world. Click here to read today’s prayer and be part of this practice of peace.
