03/17/2024
My personal devotional reading this morning dealt with making all of the common things in our lives sacred. Pastor E.M. Bounds wrote that "It puts God not just in our praying and church-going, but in every aspect of life. The spirit of devotion makes the common things of earth sacred, and the little things great." Someone holding our hand as they pray for us, and telling us that we are going to be alright becomes priceless. A gentle touch conveys our love and caring even as the few words we speak in prayer comforts others. Touch; it seems such a small thing and yet is mentioned repeatedly in scripture. A common thing made holy by our devotion.
“Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand and touched him and said to him, “I will; be clean.” And immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean.”
Mark 1:41-42 ESV
“When he came down from the mountain, great crowds followed him. And behold, a leper came to him and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.” And Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, “I will; be clean.” And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.”
Matthew 8:1-3 ESV
When I brought my wife home from the hospital after her knee replacements I knew that I was in for a couple of tough weeks as I tended to her. Times such as this are always filled with love as we care for the convalescent, but before we even arrived home my cellphone rang and my sister-in-law asked what we needed from the grocery, then informed me that she would be bring us dinner that evening. Such acts of kindness are seemingly small things of life that if done in the proper spirit become sacred... and if we hone our awareness, we will find that our days are filled with such opportunities to act, and be acted upon, in many merciful ways.
Bringing our faith to bear as we perform the little duties of life transforms them from mundane to sacred and adds depth to our walk with Christ. Jesus taught us in Matthew regarding mercy when he said:
“For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.”
Matthew 25:35-36 KJV
The things we make sacred each day should extend not only into the larger and grander things, but into the smallest of everyday things that are personal and more meaningful to someone’s life, faith, and everyday existence. Hearing the sound of a lawnmower outside when we are limited in our mobility, and looking out to see someone from church mowing our lawn without us asking can be an amazingly sacred act of kindness, and it can relieve the stress of not being physically able to do it ourselves.
“Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.”
1 Corinthians 10:31 KJV
Pastor Bounds used a catchy phrase when he wrote of such behavior like this, "We need to put the spirit of devotion into Monday's business as well as in Sunday's worship." There are many other sayings that communicate the same thing, but the wisdom in them is the same... Live for God just as we are instructed to pray... Without ceasing.
Today, when we go about our various chores and duties, let's look for the sacred in the everyday actions being carried out around us. Let's find the holiness in the tiniest of things that on the surface might not appear to be spiritually significant, but in the spirit in which they are done become holy. By doing this let's focus not only our prayer life but everything in our lives on God and his presence with us. Let’s transform something as common as the brush of our hand, or a gentle caress of someone’s cheek, into divine healing, and divine comfort. Let’s make a human touch become a Godly salve.
Prayer:
Father, thank you for transforming our touch into a righteous and loving spiritual act. Thank you for showing us through Jesus Christ how the slightest touch of skin, or a garment, can be miraculous, and how a few words of intercession can save the world. Help us Father to see that a crumb from our table can become a spiritual feast if offered in the right spirit. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who sent your Son Jesus to the cross on Calvary to suffer mightily to redeem us, and then allowed Him to speak 10 short words that prompted you to forgive us, and three tiny words that shook the world as He said “It is done.” Father we praise your name, and know that you receive amazing glory through our smallest acts of righteousness. We worship you Lord, and love you with all our hearts… whether in the storms and mighty battles, or the gentle rains and subtle touches. Even a tiny sip of wine from the cup of the New Covenant, or a single drop of Christ’s blood in a bead of sweat, washes us pure, and transforms us from head to toe… how amazing are you who speaks such power in a nearly imperceptible whisper… for mighty are you in all things and worthy in them great and small.
“And when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling, and falling down before him declared in the presence of all the people why she had touched him, and how she had been immediately healed. And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace.””
Luke 8:47-48 ESV
“And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments.”
Luke 23:34 ESV
Amen
Rich Forbes