Today’s readings: Click on today’s date at http://www.usccb.org/bible/
With all that I am
Saturday, March 8, 2014
Saturday after Ash Wednesday
Isaiah 58:13-14
If you call the Sabbath a delight … if you honor it by not seeking your own interests … then you shall delight in the Lord, and I will make you ride on the heights of the earth.
Many years ago at Willow Creek we heard Bill Hybels talk about his morning routine. “Before I stand up in the morning, I get on my knees and pray. Every day.”
That seemed easy enough, and a really good idea, so we are still doing it. I usually pray the Lord’s Prayer, sometimes rather quickly, and then get up on my feet. Sometimes in the few minutes before that I lay in bed and think … thanks. I ask God to fill my mind with images and ideas and gifts and gratefulness that aim me toward God.
But I’m a morning person. I bet Bill is too. Many of us are not. In fact traditional Sabbath begins at sunset, not sunrise. There is an Android and Apple app that will tell you exactly what time that is.
During our wonderful Waynesville (Illinois) days in the mid 80’s, while our kids were growing and we were learning how to live in a small town and belong to a fired-up church, we began Sabbath on Saturday night with a family meal and blessing, a game, a fairly early bedtime. The next day our church experience was in the middle of our Sabbath. That changed church for us.  We were ready. Sunday morning was more like the middle of the day.
God “will make you ride on the heights of the earth.” Soar like a butterfly, sing like a bird. We ignore Sabbath at our peril. And we observe Sabbath in the graces and gifts of God.
My favorite part of the wedding ceremony goes like this: “With all that I am, and all that I have, I honor you.”
God asks that of me and promises it of Himself. We are made for each other. God’s love is so very very near.
When I was born you slipped a ring on my finger, Lord. When I was baptized I slipped one on yours. How do I show you (show myself, mostly) how much I love you? You offer me sunrises and sunsets, and weep when I weep, rejoice when I rejoice. You are the giver, the giver, the giver. And that makes me want to give back. And honor you.
http://www.christiancounselingservice.com/archived_devotions.php?article_id=1237
