Called by God
David Nii, Council of Twelve Apostles
But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh, and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” He said, “I will be with you; and this shall be the sign for you that it is I who sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall worship God on this mountain.” -Exodus 3:11-12
Much of my life is lived on auto-pilot. Other than specific projects, tasks, and conversations, much of my routine daily activities are done without my full attention and awareness. I probably miss many opportunities to experience God because of my inattention. Fortunately, the Spirit persists.
I am blessed to live near a nature trail I often walk. It is a 2.7-mile journey from my home, around the trail, and back. Walking this trail in under 45 minutes is a mild form of exercise good for my physical well-being. More important, walking this trail invites me to be more open to important insights and an awareness of life around me. On these walks I seem to be more aware of the air, the sky, the mountains in the distance, the joggers and fellow walkers, the dogs, the sound of wind and flowing water, the prairie grass, and pine trees. On these walks I am reminded to be grateful for trail-groomers, family, friends, colleagues, acquaintances, and the many life opportunities with which I am blessed. Walking this trail reminds me to limit my life spent on auto-pilot mode, and be more alert to experiencing God.
I came to think of my trail walks as similar to Moses’ experience on Mount Horeb. His routine task of tending sheep was disrupted by a burning bush of awareness and insight. He was standing on holy ground. God called him from the ordinary and routine into a life of amazing service and sacrifice for the benefit of others, and the presence of God journeyed with him. Although I certainly am not a Moses figure, I suspect God calls me, calls all of us, nonetheless, to amazing service and sacrifice for the benefit of creation if we are willing to pay attention. I would miss the point of my trail walks if I perceive it as one of only a few times and places where God speaks. My invitation is to pay more attention and be more aware of the Spirit’s presence in each moment and see all spaces as sacred. This invitation is not uniquely mine but for all of us.
Prayer Phrase
O God, rain down your blessings, wash away our troubles, flow over us with your Spirit.
Spiritual Practice
Flowing Water
If possible, sit where you can hear water-a fountain, stream, the sea, (perhaps a recording of water sounds). Listen to the sound as you thank God for the life-giving, life-shaping power of water. Pray for God’s blessing on all the parched places of the Earth where there is injustice, oppression, violence, and disregard for life. Pray for God’s justice to be released, and imagine it flowing over the Earth, restoring righteousness and wholeness. Now, get up and drink a glass of clear, cold water as you pray, “God, let your justice flow through me as a disciple of Christ Jesus.”
Today’s Prayer for Peace
Engage in a daily practice of praying for peace in our world. Click here to read today’s prayer and be part of this practice of peace.
