With all the noise in the world, do you hear the voice of God? Your calendar tells you what to do, but do you remember who you are? Being comes before doing. This is a call to put first things first. Return to the Lord with this daily pattern of prayer and devotion. Set aside this time as a sanctuary. Find a space free of distraction and follow this pattern.
Invocation
Make the sign of the cross and say,
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Invitation Prayer
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matt. 5:3) O Lord, my poverty is the place where you meet me with grace. My spirit finds all I need in you. Amen.
Word: Matthew 5:13,14
“You are the salt of the earth . . . You are the light of the world.”
Meditation
I’ve been hanging with teenagers. I was with some high schoolers recently, and they taught me a popular word today: “Basic.” “Basic” means to be like everyone else. Do what everyone else is doing. Wear the same cool clothes and shoes to fit in. Follow all the latest styles and fads like everyone else. “That whole group of girls are wearing the same yoga pants. They are so basic.” “He’s just being tough because he wants to fit in. He’s so basic.”
We’re in a series called The Backwards Kingdom where we’re looking at the backwards ways of Jesus in his Sermon on the Mount. In a sense, Jesus says, “Don’t be basic. Be extraordinary.” Take a look at Matt. 5:13 and 14: “You are the salt of the earth . . . You are the light of the world.”
Salt and light are extraordinary elements. They are not basic. They don’t fit in. They stand out. They are distinct. What is distinct about your life? What is it about you that makes it clear you are a Christian? How do you stand out from “what everyone else is doing?”
Our Lord is not “basic.” He is extraordinary. He was crucified. He is risen. When we follow King Jesus, we begin to stand out in extraordinary ways.
Prayer for Rest
· For physical, mental, and emotional health.
· For times of joy, delight, and leisure.
· For a Sabbath day free from work, tasks, and stress.
· For a holy time of worship.
Closing Prayer
O Lord, your ways are extraordinary. I too often revert to the ordinary ways of the world. Forgive me. Change me. Shape me in your image. Make me light and make me salt so that I look different. When people see me I want them to see you. Amen.