Today’s Reflection
LET ME TELL you a story about a heavy burden I was carrying. I was feeling depressed about everything. By coincidence, I was in Flagstaff, Arizona, so I decided to go to the Grand Canyon. I saw this multimillion-year-old canyon and its place in an even older creation and thought that if that whole time period were represented by one hour, then I probably was born in a tiny fraction of the last second. Looking at the Grand Canyon, this enormous abyss of beauty, I thought, “My dear, why are you overcome by these problems?” My depression fell away. “In the face of all this, what are you worried about, as if you were carrying the burden of the world? Something has gone on before you and something will go on after you, so why don’t you enjoy the brief time you’ve been given?” Seeing the Grand Canyon was like seeing a wound in the earth that heals us. That image has stayed with me a long time, because I realized that God is like the Grand Canyon. God suffered a wound, the wound of all humanity, and if I enter into the abyss of divine love, my wound becomes a light burden. I realized that I could acknowledge my wound and not be paralyzed by it, live it and not be consumed by it. In the presence of God’s wound, I know myself loved by a love so immense that it leads me home into the very life of our God.
—Henri J. M. Nouwen with John S. Mogabgab
A Spirituality of Homecoming: The Henri Nouwen Spirituality Series (Upper Room Books, 2012)
Learn more about or purchase this book.
Today’s Question
Meditate on God’s love for you and all of creation. Share your thoughts.
Today’s Scripture
When morning came, it was Leah! And Jacob said to Laban, “What is this you have done to me? Did I not serve with you for Rachel? Why then have you deceived me?”
—Genesis 29:25 (NRSV)
Prayer for the Week
Spirit of the living God, fall fresh on me. Submit your prayer to The Upper Room or share it in the comment section.
Something More
Practice seeing blessings all around you! Upper Room author Beth A. Richardson invites us to practice the Celtic way of seeing God in everyday life. Join our online community for the eCourse edition of Christ Beside Me, Christ Within Me: Celtic Blessings.
Lectionary Readings
(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)
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8 Comments
I love this week’s prayer – “Spirit of the living God, fall fresh on me.” New freshness for today…for the events which will ensue, for interactions where I need to intentionally look for Jesus in the eyes of others.
God’s love for me – unsearchable. Father – I thank You that I am Yours. You know me intimately. You weave Your masterpiece, and I am but a small intricate part.
What struck me this morning from Psalm 62…v 5. “For God alone my soul waits in silence, for my hope is from Him.” My hope is from Him, my hope is in Him, my hope is Him. Father, keep my eyes off of myself, fixed solely on You.
Grateful for cool nights and comfortable days, windows open, fresh air in Roger’s whiskers.
By all human means of measurement the love of God is immeasurable. A hard concept to imagine even though man has explored, by human standards. far into space. I believe God’s love surrounds us, is, like God, ever present. Thank You, Lord.
May have discovered the actual ship that rescued Soo Ok’s family from Wonsan, North Korea in December 1950. It depends which day they left as there appears to be two different dates when this occurred. The Lane Victory
rescued 7000 people.
Prayers for a college hockey friend whose son committed suicide jumping off the Golden Gate Bridge. No news on Doris or Meesook. Yesterday was a busy morning day. Hope for a walk around a lake today. Church tomorrow and lessons on olives / olive oil from the Bible.
Have a blessed weekend.
I think about Marcy’s endings when I read this today- Faith hope and Love and the greatest of these is Love…
Also in psalm 62 the phrase “power belongs to you God, and with you Lord is unfailing love.
We are all loved by God – in an immense and unfailing way- what else matters beyond that. To put our trust in that one true thing is all we need to do. His love is unfailing. Open our eyes Lord to this promise.
Prayers for all who come here today looking for peace.
Good morning, to the UR family! “To God be the GLORY” May your day be filled with God’s Love and Peace.
That same verse from Psalm 62 struck me also Jill. I do not know why it resonated so strongly with me other than all that I am enduring. Guess that is enough. H seems to be losing his mental acuity quicker of late and still refuses to admit there is a problem.
Megan and I are attending a country concert tonight at an outdoor venue. The weather will be much cooler than I expected for this time of year, hope my hands do well. I am so psyched because I love the first one singing. He is a young black man (unusual for country music) and he is a devout Christian who loves his family. He spoke at great length of his grandmother when I saw him interviewed.
Prayers of gratitude that Coonie posted. Prayers for her health to improve and her flowers to flourish.
Prayers for Jill, may her day go well and may she keep patient.
Prayers for Robert and his many hobbies and interests that enrich his life.
Prayers for Lou and her daughter as each embarks on a new and exciting life phase.
Prayers for Bj and welcome to a new poster.
Prayers for strength for Andrea.
Prayers for Mary, may she have a relaxing weekend.
Prayers for Marcy, may she be well.
Prayers, blessings, warm hugs and thank you my dear UR family
Hi Julie! I read UR reflections every morning. I quote scripture readings and read the reflections each around 6 to 6:15AM. I know I don’t post often, but I love reading the reflection. Even throughout some of the day I reflect back to see if more posts are posted. For the past year, july, I set 2 alarm clocks for 6AM to take a Thyroid pill. I have never taken it a minute be 6. But, you know what, The Lord wakes me up at 5, 5:30, even at times a few minutes before 6, but i still don’t take that pill. I set that time myself. I am a witness God is an ON TIME GOD. By the way, one day when you get time, go to You Tude and look up Billy Ray Cyrus and a young man call Lil Nas X, “OLD TOWN ROAD”. Try not to get distracted.
Indeed, great is the measure of our Heavenly Father’s Love!
Blessings!
Our pastor challenged us to read favorite scriptures in different versions, so yesterday I read Psalm 62 in the KJV and today in another. I like how the thought is the same but the adjectives and verses explain it differently. Each adds insight to me as I reflect on the meaning the interpretation is trying to make. Reminds me of how God knows each of us and speaks to each so that all can understand and try to grasp his enormous love for us.
Blessings UR family as we start our weekends.
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