Splendid Simplicity
We are in a season when culture seems to spin chaotically out of control. This week we have focused our devotions on brief prayers that speak to the rhythms of our lives.
Holy One,
With thanks for guidance through the week, guide me throughout my weekend to the unfinished tasks of preparation. Then, teach me to bask in the splendid simplicity of Love throughout this sacred season.
--Ben Keckler
12.09.11
Showing posts with label simplicity. Show all posts
Showing posts with label simplicity. Show all posts
Friday, December 9, 2011
Friday, January 11, 2008
Daily Devotions - Friday, January 11
Considering the Important Stuff
“When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers,
The moon and the stars you have set on their courses,
What is humankind that you should be mindful of us?”
--Psalm 8: 4, 5
Consider the works of God’s creation for 15 brief minutes a day and you too will probably wonder, “Why is God so mindful of me?” Enjoy discovering answers to this question.
Today we continue our thoughts about the significance of creation. We are part of a cosmic community. The Creator who set all time and space in motion created us in community with the rest of the cosmos. Spending time meditating on this thought can really be empowering. Here is a little story from the life of St. Francis who spent time praying with the little creatures:
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.
It may be difficult to take tales like this seriously. The problem is probably ours, however. Realizing the integrity and sacredness of creation opens new dimensions for our spiritual life and our devotional disciplines. We are a small, small part of a splendid work. Thanks to God for all of creation.
A prayer for today:
Holy God, slow me down enough so that in stillness I can discover. Amen.
Ben Keckler
01.11.08
“When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers,
The moon and the stars you have set on their courses,
What is humankind that you should be mindful of us?”
--Psalm 8: 4, 5
Consider the works of God’s creation for 15 brief minutes a day and you too will probably wonder, “Why is God so mindful of me?” Enjoy discovering answers to this question.
Today we continue our thoughts about the significance of creation. We are part of a cosmic community. The Creator who set all time and space in motion created us in community with the rest of the cosmos. Spending time meditating on this thought can really be empowering. Here is a little story from the life of St. Francis who spent time praying with the little creatures:
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.
It may be difficult to take tales like this seriously. The problem is probably ours, however. Realizing the integrity and sacredness of creation opens new dimensions for our spiritual life and our devotional disciplines. We are a small, small part of a splendid work. Thanks to God for all of creation.
A prayer for today:
Holy God, slow me down enough so that in stillness I can discover. Amen.
Ben Keckler
01.11.08
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Daily Devotions - Thursday, January 10
What Is The Important Stuff?
“When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers,
The moon and the stars you have set on their courses,
What is humankind that you should be mindful of us?”
Psalm 8: 4, 5
This is an interesting question, don't you think? It is a question worthy of exploration and dialogue. The writer recognizes both how insignificant he/she is and how profoundly privileged he/she is. The question should cause us to realize just how skewed our vision can become.
Somehow we get stuck, thinking we are the center of the universe. Our affluence can cause us to miss enjoying simple things. We take 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 the plastic we use to purchase plastic things.
Consider the works of God’s creation for 15 brief minutes a day and you too will probably wonder, “Why is God so mindful of me?” Enjoy discovering the answer to this important question.
A prayer for today:
Holy God, slow me down enough so that in stillness I can discover. Amen.
Ben Keckler
01.10.08
“When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers,
The moon and the stars you have set on their courses,
What is humankind that you should be mindful of us?”
Psalm 8: 4, 5
This is an interesting question, don't you think? It is a question worthy of exploration and dialogue. The writer recognizes both how insignificant he/she is and how profoundly privileged he/she is. The question should cause us to realize just how skewed our vision can become.
Somehow we get stuck, thinking we are the center of the universe. Our affluence can cause us to miss enjoying simple things. We take 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 the plastic we use to purchase plastic things.
Consider the works of God’s creation for 15 brief minutes a day and you too will probably wonder, “Why is God so mindful of me?” Enjoy discovering the answer to this important question.
A prayer for today:
Holy God, slow me down enough so that in stillness I can discover. Amen.
Ben Keckler
01.10.08
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