He Comes to Us
Julie Conway Sword of Gainesville, FL, USA
I will greatly rejoice in the Lord,
my whole being shall exult in my God;
for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation,
he has covered me with the robe of righteousness,
as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland,
and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
11 For as the earth brings forth its shoots,
and as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring up,
so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise
to spring up before all the nations. -Isaiah 61:8-11
Jesus comes to us
At the rise of the day,
When our hearts are light,
Our minds are free,
And our cares have melted away.
“Take my hand,” He invites, “and
Walk with me from dawn until sunset.”
All through the morning
He’s at our side
To counsel, to listen, to smile.
He challenges us with inspiring thoughts;
He comforts us as a small child.
At midday He’s there;
He welcomes our prayers.
He listens as we expound
Regarding decisions, uncertainties, fears.
His Presence more than abounds.
At evening He awaits us with welcoming arms.
He comments on how the day’s gone,
“You lived in my Presence all through the day.
Well done, my daughter, my son!”
Prayer Phrase
“May I open myself to change, to being guided by the Spirit; may I risk the unknown and live into the Mystery!” (Nan C. Merrill, Psalms for Praying, 234)
Spiritual Practice
A New Beginning
Opportunities for new beginnings occur in each moment, day, or year. Even when we feel stuck, the Spirit is always offering an invitation to return to our deeper intention of living life fully with God, others, creation, and our truest selves. Pay attention at the opening of this new year to what feels like a fresh beginning in you. Where is the Spirit inviting you into a new possibility, awareness, or way of being?
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.
