Today’s scripture: Isaiah 42:20-25 (NRSV) (The Message) (KJV) What might God be saying to me?
My thoughts (Carla Peck):
These holy words stood out to me in today’s scripture:
“You’ve seen a lot, but observed nothing.
You’ve heard everything, but listened to nothing.
…shut up in attics and closets,
victims licking their wounds.”
One day I was walking on the treadmill. This skinny lady was on the treadmill next to me working up a sweat. After I was done on the treadmill, I saw skinny lady buy a bag of potato chips for lunch. The hair on my neck bristled. Grr! Skinny potato chip lady probably always eats mostly junk food, and always has. Why do I have to work so hard to lose weight and maintain a weight loss? Skinny potato chip lady — it doesn’t matter what she eats, she always stays skinny.
Days later, I talked to skinny potato chip lady, and I learned that she used to be 85 pounds heavier. I realized that I had seen skinny potato chip lady, but I had truly observed nothing. In this way, as verse 24 suggests, I had sinned against God, for I hadn’t walked in God’s ways and had failed to obey God’s laws.
Thought for the day: When victim mentality sets in, fight it. Through dialogue as well as eyes and ears of love and compassion, it may be possible to learn, see, and hear more.
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the suggestions on the How to Pray page.