“God, teach me your ways, so that I may live according to your truth. Give me an undivided heart, so that I may revere you.”
Psalm 86:11
Notes for Contemplation as You Use this Devotional:
- This Psalm is sometimes titled “Tired, But Trusting.”
- The Psalms are beloved and timeless because they encompass a range of human emotions, everything from struggles to celebrations. The Psalmist of ancient times, just as we do in our time, is trying to sort through conflicting feelings and emotions and feel a richer connection with God, themselves, and others.
- In asking to be taught, the Psalmist seeks both assurance and guidance so they can discern the spiritual truth which comes from God, eternally loving and infinitely compassionate. With trust in God, they also can avoid any pitfalls or obstacles which divert their path.
- To have an undivided heart — literally, to be whole-hearted — means that all our energy and efforts are unified.
- Awe is a combination of wonder, surprise, reverence, respect, and sometimes dread, fear, and/or shock. Awe is WOW and may be inspired by authority, genius, power, or rare artistic and natural beauty. Awe takes us beyond ourselves and usually includes a sense of vastness.
- Reverence is a combination of awe, devotion, and respect, usually enfolded in love.
- In her extensive social psychology research, Arizona State University Associate Professor Lani Shiota has found: “The emotion we call awe — our capacity for deep pleasure in facing the incredible and trying to take it all in — may reflect a basic need to understand the world in which we live.”
Contemplation Questions:
Ask yourself:
- When I think of my life now, especially as I move beyond pandemic lock-downs and restrictions, in what ways do I feel tired, stuck, or in a rut?
- Consider all aspects of your life: physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual.
- Create a category for each aspect, and list, word map, or illustrate whatever applies.
- When I think about my life now, in which areas am I seeking assurance and guidance?
- Again, consider all aspects of your life: physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual.
- Create a category for each aspect, and list, word map, or illustrate whatever applies.
- When I contemplate both of these sets, how are they similar or different?
- List, word map, or illustrate what you notice. Pay specific attention to areas where you feel especially energized and enthusiastic, as this often is a sign of assurance and guidance to go ahead.
- As I contemplate what awe is, how am I experiencing awe in my life right now?
- List, word map, or illustrate all which apply.
- When I contemplate what reverence is, which people and/or what things do I revere?
- Note the specific people.
- What specifically do I revere about them?
- How do I want to do deepen my connection with them?
- Note the specific things.
- What specifically do I revere about them?
- How do I want to enhance my connection with them?
- Note the specific people.
- What are at least three (3) things I am willing to do to allow more awe — a sense of WOW and reverence — into my life?
- List, word map, or illustrate as much as you can imagine.
Take as much time as you need with this devotional, especially as you consider any adjustments you want to make. As you reflect on God as the divine creative power which guides your life, have faith in your ability to discern what is most enlivening for you now.
As you contemplate your feelings of awe, remember that awe is not only your feeling for God, or Divine Presence, or something extremely rare, but also something richly inherent in all of life. As you stay grounded faith and trust, you can more easily look beyond yourself and find hope in the vastness of the universe and the love you share with others.
© 2021 – Rev. Jennifer L. Sacks – All rights reserved.
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