Today’s scripture: Psalm 27:1-4 (NRSV) (The Message) (KJV) What might God be saying to me?
My thoughts (Vivian Wyatt):
The Psalmist prayed: “One thing I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in his temple.”
If you could have one wish, to make your life complete, what would it be? Realistically, and even spiritually, would you ask to live all of the days of your life in your church, praising and worshipping God?
When I was a kid, my mother was the kind of mom who insisted we all go to church. There was no such thing as: “I don’t want to go to church today.” If I said I am too sick to go to church, I would be too sick to do anything else all day. I played piano for Sunday School. I belonged to the youth groups. I performed in all the plays. Church was my life, my community.
I left church for many years but when I came back, I went to three services on Sunday and the evening service on Wednesday. I was an usher, led a small group, and volunteered my services where needed. Church was my life, my community.
Today, I am a pastor in an incredible church, and once again church is my life and my community. I wouldn’t have it any other way. Church is where I get spiritually fed and emotionally comforted. It’s where I get to care for an extraordinary congregation and where my friends and my family of choice are. Every Sunday is like a family reunion, lots of smiles and hugs.
“One thing I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in his temple.”
Thought for the day: How important is church to you? Is it just a place you run to when trouble strikes? Or, is it a place full of rich friendships where you go to serve God and others.
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.