Daily Reading: 2 December

(from www.christianaid.org.uk)

Staying on track

Something to read

And when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left, your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.’ Then you will defile your silver-covered idols and your gold-plated images. You will scatter them like filthy rags; you will say to them, ‘Away with you!’

- Isaiah 30:21-22.

Something to think about

I am an easily distracted person. By the time I’ve penned this short reflection, it’s likely that I will have checked my emails, read a news article, and raided the fridge for snacks. I’ve had to develop all kinds of techniques over the years to help me focus enough to get everything done! 

More significant than wandering away from the desk for a while, is wandering away from our own core values. It can happen to all of us at one time or another. We are passionate about living out our faith, about loving our global neighbour, and about standing with those who face injustice. Yet there are so many other things that claim to be of greater worth: money, success, reputation, and taking care of our own interests. In difficult times, we can all become more inward looking.

How important it is then, to pay attention to God’s gentle tap on the shoulder, calling us to remember what is of real value. Whether through Scripture, through a friend, or a still small voice in our hearts, our gracious God can steer us back to the way we truly want to walk in

Something to do

Connect with a friend who knows the real you, who shares your deepest values and how you live out your faith. You could talk together about what distracts you, and encourage one another in staying on track.

Something to pray

Thank you, God, that you know my heart, and have compassion for me in all my wanderings. When I am distracted by the cares of status and success, remind me of what truly matters. Help me today to walk in the way of love and justice. Amen.

Today’s contributor is Rev Claire Jones