Living in the Present Moment
“The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in
from this time on and forevermore.”
--Psalm 121: 8
WARNING: As we end this week's devotions, you may be challenged to move beyond boundaries of your comfort zone. It can be uncomfortable exploring thoughts, concepts or opportunities beyond our normal limits. For example, a few years ago a friend of mine went on a business trip. One day after work, accompanied by several business partners, he went to an Olympic bobsled run and took a new adventure. In speaking with him about this anticipated experience, he was excited, but also quite nervous. He moved beyond his comfort zone. He trusted in the insight from today's Psalm.
A world-renowned Zen master and spiritual leader gives a fresh approach to this verse in these words he penned about two decades ago:
“Our true home is in the present moment.
To live in the present moment is a miracle.
The miracle is not to walk on water.
The miracle is to walk on the green Earth in the present moment,
to appreciate the peace and beauty that are available now.
Peace is all around us—
in the world and in nature—
And within us—
in our bodies and in our spirits.
Once we learn to touch this peace, we will be healed and transformed.
It is not a matter of faith; it is a matter of practice.”
--Ben Keckler
01.28.11
Friday, January 28, 2011
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Daily Devotion - Thursday, January 27
Another Question to Consider
“Whom have I in heaven but you?”
--Psalm 73:25
Taking time with the questions of the soul is some of the best work a person can do. Taking time with the questions of the soul can empower us and guide us when the way is particularly difficult. The Psalm writer was comfortable asking questions, even if answers did not readily surface. Asking the questions of the soul — this is good work. Rainer Maria Rilke offers this insight today:
“Have patience with everything unresolved in your heart
and try to love the questions themselves…
Don’t search for the answers, which could not be given to you now,
because you would not be able to live them.
And the point is, to live everything.
Live the questions now.
Perhaps then, someday far in the future,
you will gradually, without even noticing it
live your way into the answer.”
A prayer for today: Holy God, I give you my questions. Amen.
--Ben Keckler
01.27.11
“Whom have I in heaven but you?”
--Psalm 73:25
Taking time with the questions of the soul is some of the best work a person can do. Taking time with the questions of the soul can empower us and guide us when the way is particularly difficult. The Psalm writer was comfortable asking questions, even if answers did not readily surface. Asking the questions of the soul — this is good work. Rainer Maria Rilke offers this insight today:
“Have patience with everything unresolved in your heart
and try to love the questions themselves…
Don’t search for the answers, which could not be given to you now,
because you would not be able to live them.
And the point is, to live everything.
Live the questions now.
Perhaps then, someday far in the future,
you will gradually, without even noticing it
live your way into the answer.”
A prayer for today: Holy God, I give you my questions. Amen.
--Ben Keckler
01.27.11
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Daily Devotion - Wednesday, January 26
A Few Minutes Please
“What is humankind that you should be mindful of us?”
--Psalm 8: 5
Today I'd like to continue thinking about the significance of creation. We are part of a cosmic community. I find it helpful to remember that the Creator who set all time and space in motion created us in community with the rest of the cosmos. Stopping to affirm this concept and spending time with it can really be empowering. Here is a little story from the life of St. Francis who often took time to pray with the creatures of the cosmos:
When Francis was hurrying across the Lake of Rieti to the hermitage of Greccio, out of devotion a fisherman offered him a waterfowl. He took it gladly and opened his hands to let it go, but it did not want to. He prayed for a long time with his eyes turned to heaven. After more than an hour, he came back to himself and gently told the bird again to go away and praise God. Having received his permission with a blessing, the bird expressed its joy in the movements of its body, and flew away.
For some, this tale may be difficult to take seriously. The problem is probably not in the story, however. Realizing the integrity and sacredness of creation opens new dimensions for living, especially with chaos. We are a small, small part of a splendid work of creativity. Thanks to a power beyond us for the gift of creation.
--Ben Keckler
01.26.11
“What is humankind that you should be mindful of us?”
--Psalm 8: 5
Today I'd like to continue thinking about the significance of creation. We are part of a cosmic community. I find it helpful to remember that the Creator who set all time and space in motion created us in community with the rest of the cosmos. Stopping to affirm this concept and spending time with it can really be empowering. Here is a little story from the life of St. Francis who often took time to pray with the creatures of the cosmos:
When Francis was hurrying across the Lake of Rieti to the hermitage of Greccio, out of devotion a fisherman offered him a waterfowl. He took it gladly and opened his hands to let it go, but it did not want to. He prayed for a long time with his eyes turned to heaven. After more than an hour, he came back to himself and gently told the bird again to go away and praise God. Having received his permission with a blessing, the bird expressed its joy in the movements of its body, and flew away.
For some, this tale may be difficult to take seriously. The problem is probably not in the story, however. Realizing the integrity and sacredness of creation opens new dimensions for living, especially with chaos. We are a small, small part of a splendid work of creativity. Thanks to a power beyond us for the gift of creation.
--Ben Keckler
01.26.11
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Daily Devotion - Tuesday, January 25
A Significant Question
“What is humankind that you should be mindful of us?”
--Psalm 8: 5
The writer asks God a most interesting question, I believe. It is a question we don’t want to encounter, especially in dialogs or in devotions. It is good to deal with the question. The writer recognizes both how small he/she is and how profoundly privileged he/she is. The question should cause us to realize just how skewed our vision can become.
It seems easy to get stuck, thinking we are the center of the universe. Our affluence can cause us to miss the simple joys in simple things. We take so little time focusing on the biggest picture because we are trying to create a big picture of our own. A collection of objects from nature—stones, feathers, pine cones, a flower, blades of grass can really help us in our spiritual development. Taking 15 minutes in your day to simply be with an object and allow it to “tell its story”, can truly be a meaningful way of getting in touch with our own “infinite smallness”. Taking time with the surroundings of nature that have been around forever can give us new perspectives about our world of “possessions/things”.
Consider, for example, the stories the majestic Canadian Rockies contain after their billions of years of observing the world. Spend 15 brief minutes today looking at a picture of some snow-capped mountain and you too will probably wonder, “Why is God so mindful of me?” Enjoy discovering insights about this important question.
--Ben Keckler
01.25.11
“What is humankind that you should be mindful of us?”
--Psalm 8: 5
The writer asks God a most interesting question, I believe. It is a question we don’t want to encounter, especially in dialogs or in devotions. It is good to deal with the question. The writer recognizes both how small he/she is and how profoundly privileged he/she is. The question should cause us to realize just how skewed our vision can become.
It seems easy to get stuck, thinking we are the center of the universe. Our affluence can cause us to miss the simple joys in simple things. We take so little time focusing on the biggest picture because we are trying to create a big picture of our own. A collection of objects from nature—stones, feathers, pine cones, a flower, blades of grass can really help us in our spiritual development. Taking 15 minutes in your day to simply be with an object and allow it to “tell its story”, can truly be a meaningful way of getting in touch with our own “infinite smallness”. Taking time with the surroundings of nature that have been around forever can give us new perspectives about our world of “possessions/things”.
Consider, for example, the stories the majestic Canadian Rockies contain after their billions of years of observing the world. Spend 15 brief minutes today looking at a picture of some snow-capped mountain and you too will probably wonder, “Why is God so mindful of me?” Enjoy discovering insights about this important question.
--Ben Keckler
01.25.11
Monday, January 24, 2011
Daily Devotion - Monday, January 24
Tuesday on Monday
“A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.”
--Proverbs 14:30
A valuable textbook for living is Mitch Albom’s book Tuesdays with Morrie. Mitch discovered that his revered college professor, Morrie, is dying. He took off a number of Tuesdays to go and visit his old professor. I feel there are some important questions from their second visit that each of us might want to consider throughout this week. Morrie poses these questions as a guide for living:
1. Have you found someone to share your heart with?
2. Are you giving to your community?
3. Are you at peace with yourself?
4. Are you trying to be as human as you can be?
These questions are worthy of thought in the beginning days of 2011. Have a meaningful week.
--Ben Keckler
01.24.11
“A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.”
--Proverbs 14:30
A valuable textbook for living is Mitch Albom’s book Tuesdays with Morrie. Mitch discovered that his revered college professor, Morrie, is dying. He took off a number of Tuesdays to go and visit his old professor. I feel there are some important questions from their second visit that each of us might want to consider throughout this week. Morrie poses these questions as a guide for living:
1. Have you found someone to share your heart with?
2. Are you giving to your community?
3. Are you at peace with yourself?
4. Are you trying to be as human as you can be?
These questions are worthy of thought in the beginning days of 2011. Have a meaningful week.
--Ben Keckler
01.24.11
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
