Reverent Humility
Today's Reflection
Humility is not pretending to think less of ourselves but thinking more of others. Relating to people with reverent humility means that we value them as one-of-a-kind creations whose ordinary human lives contain something of the extraordinary image of God — even the people who are most difficult. Reverent humility enables us to listen.
—James A. Harnish, Extraordinary Ministry in Ordinary Time: An Invitation to Renewal for Pastors (Upper Room Books, 2019)
Today's Question
How does humility enable you to see God’s image in other people? Join the conversation.
Today's Scripture
As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.
—Colossians 3:12 (NRSVUE)
Prayer for the Week
New every morning is your love, great God of light, and all day long you are working for good in the world. Stir up in us desire to serve you, to live peacefully with our neighbors and all your creation, and to devote each day to your Son, our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen. [prayer from the Upper Room Worshipbook]
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.
Something More
Burnout does not have to be the end of the story. Pastoral Pause, a new book by Greg Pimlott, provides a practical guide to help faith leaders take a break before it’s too late. Learn more here.
Lectionary Readings
- Acts 16:9-15
- Psalm 67
- Revelation 21:10, 22-22:5
- John 14:23-29
Read the lectionary texts courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library here.
Looking for lectionary-based resources? Learn more about The Upper Room Disciplines.
2 Comments | Join the Conversation.Ordinary Time
Today's Reflection
My experience has confirmed that the most effective way to nourish our souls is not to depend on extraordinary moments of spiritual inspiration or dramatic changes in the patterns of our life. Instead, the foundation of spiritual nourishment is practicing the ordinary, time-tested disciplines of reflection on scripture, spiritual reading, prayer combined with what John Wesley called “spiritual conversation” with trusted friends in Christian community, and self-giving service to others. Our ministries depend upon what we do with our ordinary time in ordinary places.
—James A. Harnish, Extraordinary Ministry in Ordinary Time: An Invitation to Renewal for Pastors (Upper Room Books, 2019)
Today's Question
What are the ordinary ways that you receive spiritual nourishment? Join the conversation.
Today's Scripture
Fill us full every morning with your faithful love so we can rejoice and celebrate our whole life long.
—Psalm 90:14 (CEB)
Prayer for the Week
New every morning is your love, great God of light, and all day long you are working for good in the world. Stir up in us desire to serve you, to live peacefully with our neighbors and all your creation, and to devote each day to your Son, our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen. [prayer from the Upper Room Worshipbook]
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.
Something More
Burnout does not have to be the end of the story. Pastoral Pause, a new book by Greg Pimlott, provides a practical guide to help faith leaders take a break before it’s too late. Learn more here.
Lectionary Readings
- Acts 16:9-15
- Psalm 67
- Revelation 21:10, 22-22:5
- John 14:23-29
Read the lectionary texts courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library here.
Looking for lectionary-based resources? Learn more about The Upper Room Disciplines.
2 Comments | Join the Conversation.Leaven for the World
Today's Reflection
To pray in secret is to choose to serve God. God’s attention is of utmost importance. We don’t need thousands of “likes”; we only need God’s. . . .
We must remember that prayer isn’t about us; it is about allowing the Spirit of God to flow and work through us. The more we engage our spiritual lives, lives which mostly take place in “secret,” the more we and our communities can press for the appearance of God’s kingdom. That these people became famous shows us the two sides of the same coin of prayer and social transformation: Because the Spirit is always moving outward, our inward work isn’t only for ourselves but is leaven for the world.
—Daniel Wolpert, Looking Inward, Living Outward: The Spiritual Practice of Social Transformation (Upper Room Books, 2024)
Today's Question
How do you make time for prayer and contemplation? Join the conversation.
Today's Scripture
When you pray, go to your room, shut the door, and pray to your Father who is present in that secret place. Your Father who sees what you do in secret will reward you.
—Matthew 6:6 (CEB)
Prayer for the Week
Dear God, I want to take part in the creation of your beloved community. Help me to order my life around you, and guide me to social action that manifests your kingdom on earth.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.
Something More
The Two-Year Academy for Spiritual Formation invites you to embark on a transformative journey of faith. Immerse yourself in retreat-style learning, worship, and reflection during five-day sessions held quarterly over two years. Guided by world-class faculty and nurtured within a community of seekers, you’ll explore practices that nourish your spirit and help you live a more centered, God-focused life. Learn more here.
Lectionary Readings
- Acts 11:1-18
- Psalm 148
- Revelation 21:1-6
- John 13:31-35
Read the lectionary texts courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library here.
Looking for lectionary-based resources? Learn more about The Upper Room Disciplines.
2 Comments | Join the Conversation.Kingdom of Enough
Today's Reflection
The kingdom of God is the kingdom of enough. It shouldn’t be a surprise that there is enough food, water, and shelter for everyone on the planet. In the United States alone, there are enough unoccupied houses — second, third, or vacation homes — to give every unhoused person on our streets multiple homes. And we are still arguing about whether it is a good idea or a wasteful handout to make sure children get lunch at school whether they can pay or not, even though approximately a third of the food produced in the United States goes to waste.
People do not have enough despite there being enough, because we serve wealth and not God. Thus, as we consider shifting our service to God, we start by noticing our attachment to money and begin to pay attention to the reality of enough.
—Daniel Wolpert, Looking Inward, Living Outward: The Spiritual Practice of Social Transformation (Upper Room Books, 2024)
Today's Question
How might we begin to practice being in God’s service in tangible economic ways? [question from Looking Inward, Living Outward] Join the conversation.
Today's Scripture
No one can serve two masters, for a slave will either hate the one and love the other or be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.
—Matthew 6:24 (NRSVUE)
Prayer for the Week
Dear God, I want to take part in the creation of your beloved community. Help me to order my life around you, and guide me to social action that manifests your kingdom on earth.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.
Something More
The Two-Year Academy for Spiritual Formation invites you to embark on a transformative journey of faith. Immerse yourself in retreat-style learning, worship, and reflection during five-day sessions held quarterly over two years. Guided by world-class faculty and nurtured within a community of seekers, you’ll explore practices that nourish your spirit and help you live a more centered, God-focused life. Learn more here.
Lectionary Readings
- Acts 11:1-18
- Psalm 148
- Revelation 21:1-6
- John 13:31-35
Read the lectionary texts courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library here.
Looking for lectionary-based resources? Learn more about The Upper Room Disciplines.
2 Comments | Join the Conversation.Love, Light, Salt
Today's Reflection
Presence isn’t about fixing; it’s about being there. In humility and with self-awareness, I recognize my limitations, but I do not shrink back. I allow myself to inhabit the space as both a being made in the image of God and as a conduit for the Spirit of love, light, salt. I do not need to fix everything, but I can be present anywhere. So, we can relax and attend to our environment in a loving way. This brings a power and a healing to any situation. . . .
This act of relinquishing the need to fix points to another essential aspect of the practice of powerful presence: We can tolerate being in the presence of the suffering of the world, even as we cannot make it go away.
—Daniel Wolpert, Looking Inward, Living Outward: The Spiritual Practice of Social Transformation (Upper Room Books, 2024)
Today's Question
During times of hardship or suffering, who has been a loving presence for you? Join the conversation.
Today's Scripture
You are the salt of the earth. . . . You are the light of the world.
—Matthew 5:13-14 (NRSVUE)
Prayer for the Week
Dear God, I want to take part in the creation of your beloved community. Help me to order my life around you, and guide me to social action that manifests your kingdom on earth.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.
Something More
The Two-Year Academy for Spiritual Formation invites you to embark on a transformative journey of faith. Immerse yourself in retreat-style learning, worship, and reflection during five-day sessions held quarterly over two years. Guided by world-class faculty and nurtured within a community of seekers, you’ll explore practices that nourish your spirit and help you live a more centered, God-focused life. Learn more here.
Lectionary Readings
- Acts 11:1-18
- Psalm 148
- Revelation 21:1-6
- John 13:31-35
Read the lectionary texts courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library here.
Looking for lectionary-based resources? Learn more about The Upper Room Disciplines.
3 Comments | Join the Conversation.Yes and No
Today's Reflection
The practice of “yes and no” is the practice of acknowledging our authentic desires as they arise out of compassion for ourselves and others. . . .
“Mindfulness of speech” is another way to describe this practice of “yes and no.” To be spiritually mindful of our speech is to speak from a place of compassionate relationship. So often when people say, “I’ll call you,” it’s simply a mindless habit. We say what we were taught was “nice” or what we hope might happen, or we want to not hurt the person. However, when we bring our awareness to what we say, we utter only those things that are true, those things we authentically wish to say. This practice creates a relational space that is truly loving and real and allows for the flourishing of the beloved community
—Daniel Wolpert, Looking Inward, Living Outward: The Spiritual Practice of Social Transformation (Upper Room Books, 2024)
Today's Question
What habits or fears keep you from speaking authentically? How might becoming more mindful of your words deepen your relationships? Join the conversation.
Today's Scripture
Let your yes mean yes, and your no mean no.
—Matthew 5:36 (CEB)
Prayer for the Week
Dear God, I want to take part in the creation of your beloved community. Help me to order my life around you, and guide me to social action that manifests your kingdom on earth.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.
Something More
The Two-Year Academy for Spiritual Formation invites you to embark on a transformative journey of faith. Immerse yourself in retreat-style learning, worship, and reflection during five-day sessions held quarterly over two years. Guided by world-class faculty and nurtured within a community of seekers, you’ll explore practices that nourish your spirit and help you live a more centered, God-focused life. Learn more here.
Lectionary Readings
- Acts 11:1-18
- Psalm 148
- Revelation 21:1-6
- John 13:31-35
Read the lectionary texts courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library here.
Looking for lectionary-based resources? Learn more about The Upper Room Disciplines.
7 Comments | Join the Conversation.