Psalm 105:1-6 (NRSVUE)
O give thanks to the Lord; call on his name; make known his deeds among the peoples. Sing to him, sing praises to him; tell of all his wonderful works. Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice. Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually. Remember the wonderful works he has done, his miracles and the judgments he has uttered, O offspring of his servant Abraham, children of Jacob, his chosen ones.
Devotion
In this scripture, the psalmist gives us commands that help us navigate all that life throws our way. These may seem obvious to us at first glance; however, do we actually implement these rhythms into our daily routines? How life changing would it be if we did?
This year’s theme of “Living Simply” has definitely resonated with me. As a college student, my plate is constantly full with classes, homework, exams, extracurricular activities, and social events, on top of the daily necessities like exercising, preparing meals, and trying to get enough sleep. It’s a lot, so I often find myself getting overwhelmed and wanting to just shut down. However, I feel that God is calling me to switch my mindset. Although having a full plate can feel like a burden, it really is a blessing. God has provided me abundant opportunities to learn, to grow, and to have fun. Instead of feeling consumed by it, I want to embrace everything that this season of life has to offer.
Continually seeking the Lord’s strength and presence in the midst of our busy schedules allows us to make room in our lives to remember and appreciate his blessings. Giving thanks and praise to Him, even in the most mundane or smallest of moments, allows us to embrace all that He is providing us in our particular seasons of life. I encourage you to reflect on this today, allowing God to shift your mindset to one of joy, gratitude, and perseverance in whatever season you may be in.
Prayer
Dear Lord, thank you for the gift of this day. Thank you for the joy, peace, and love you offer us each day. Help us to seek your strength and presence continually in order that we may make room in our lives for you. Help us see our busy schedules as a blessing, not a burden, and be grateful and joyful in the season that we are in. In your holy name we pray, Amen.
Emma Staeger