For as the loincloth clings to one’s loins, so I made the whole house of Israel and the whole house of Judah cling to me, says the Lord, in order that they might be for me a people, a name, a praise, and a glory. But they would not listen.
In the reading today, God compares his people to being as close to him as a loincloth (or linen belt in some versions). There is no closer or more intimate piece of clothing. But not listening has broken this closeness.
Listening to God is something we’re not always good at doing. Talking is another matter – sometimes our worship is so full of words – sung, read and spoken that God could have a job to get a word in edgeways! We don’t always feel comfortable with a time of silence and might end up thinking ‘what’s supposed to be happening now? What’s next? instead of using the time to listen to what God might be trying to say.
Recently. I’ve tried to spend some time using Christian meditation – sitting or kneeling still just for a few minutes (4 or 5) at a time, trying to breathe a little more slowly and a little more deeply than usual and then repeating a phrase out loud in my head, something like ‘Be still and know that I am God’.
The theme and the action for today are both related to making space. Why not try one or the other and see what happens?
Ponder… The prophet says that pride and not listening are important features of the spoiled relationship between the people and God: where do you see them affecting relationships with God today?
Pray… FOR OUR COMMUNITY Pray for our church leadership team, who work to support Christine and Brian and provide the focus, ideas and direction for our church. Pray that they may continually seek to hear what God wants for our church and community. FOR THE WORLD Pray for leadership teams throughout the world and in any situation, that we may be a people who seek for ways in which to find out what God wants for his world.
Act… Tidy a room or a cupboard in your house.