Daily Reading: 28 August

(from www.christianaid.org.uk)

Try to pause and take a breath.

Something to read

But they and our ancestors stiffened their necks and did not obey your commandments… But you are a God ready to forgive, gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and you did not forsake them.

- Nehemiah 9:16-17.

Something to think about

The feeling of ‘stiffening your neck’ is all too familiar – stress, resistance to something potentially threatening is all too natural. 

How different things feel when we chose to drop our shoulders, to relax into the situation and prepare for things to be better than we first feared. 

Whatever the challenges of today, we can choose to breathe, to relax in the knowledge of the steadfast love and readiness to forgive that we experience with God.

Something to do

As we take action for change in our lives and in solidarity with those of our neighbours locally and globally, there are many hurdles in our way. 

Today, when challenged or threatened, try to pause and take a breath.

Change can be challenging, and the ideas others bring are not always the same as our own. Take a moment to become conscious of where this may the case for you, and experience the difference when you chose to not ‘stiffen your neck’.

Something to pray

I confess Lord,
That sometimes I am fearful of change,
I feel overwhelmed and threatened,
In these moments
Throw your parental arms around me,
So I can relax into you,
Resting for a time.
Before stepping out again,
To listen, and to act,
with courage.

Today’s contributor: David Pain is the former Director of Christian Aid’s Supporter and Community Partnerships Department.