Focus

As you quiet yourself for this brief time, be willing to be open to God in whatever way that may take place.

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Read

Jeremiah 17:5-10  (NRSV)

Thus says the LORD:
Cursed are those who trust in mere mortals
and make mere flesh their strength,
whose hearts turn away from the LORD.
They shall be like a shrub in the desert,
and shall not see when relief comes.
They shall live in the parched places of the wilderness,
in an uninhabited salt land.

Blessed are those who trust in the LORD,
whose trust is the LORD.
They shall be like a tree planted by water,
sending out its roots by the stream.
It shall not fear when heat comes,
and its leaves shall stay green;
in the year of drought it is not anxious,
and it does not cease to bear fruit.

The heart is devious above all else;
it is perverse—
who can understand it?
I the LORD test the mind
and search the heart,
to give to all according to their ways,
according to the fruit of their doings.

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Reflect

What a beautiful simile: the person who trusts in the Lord is like a tree planted by water, sending out roots into the stream, drawing life-sustaining water that allows it to bear fruit, even in a drought. Sometimes, when things in my life get stressful or difficult, I find myself trying to get a handle on the turmoil. During those times, I often lie awake at night, worrying about what might happen, what I need to do, or how I can manage. All that worry never changes anything; I end up feeling emotionally tapped out, exhausted, discouraged, parched. It is only when I acknowledge I cannot do anything without God’s help that I find the peace I need to actually do what I have to do. My anxiety dissipates, and I feel I can face whatever I am dealing with once I quit relying on me and start relying on God.

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Pray

Nurturing God, thank you for sustaining us through life’s droughts. When we fail to place our trust fully in you, open our hearts to your love.
We ask this is the name of your son and our Savior, Jesus.
Amen

Go with God!