Nov. 18, 2010
DEVOTION: At a Distance
By Beth Bondurant
From miles high... the ground of a rural area looks as though it has been hand measured... created in particular blocks of farm land... trees and more trees... with houses and buildings nestled throughout. Flying over the mountains... one can see miles of peaks and valleys ... filled with foliage... streams of water lying below the hills... and little sign of inhabitants. Cities can be seen at a distance with miles and miles of structures claiming the ground and signaling a multitude of busy people moving in and out of every crowded segment.
At a distance life is quiet... but with continuous movement and change. Sunlight is reflected with bright and glaring frequency... but comes and goes sporadically.
At a distance the grinding and grueling noise of intricate living is latent and minutely concealed.
At a distance one cannot perceive the personality or uniqueness of individual characteristics.
"Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things."
At a distance ... there is a new perspective regarding our common ground.
At a distance... there is a peace that passes all understanding.
At a distance... strength and commitment can be restored.
At a distance... purpose is renewed.
"So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for God. Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out."
O God, help me find rest from what crowds me in so easily from day to day. Help me look to the heavens... imagine being high on a hill... sitting in the top of the tallest tree... experiencing the wonder of the world at a distance. Let the wind... the sun... the stars... the moon.. the clouds... the birds... the beauty of nature help me soar above daily ordeal that keeps me from finding peace... purpose and pleasure in and around my world. Saturate my mind, body, heart and spirit with compassion that comes from being close but seeing and understanding ... at a distance.
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DEVOTION: At a Distance
By Beth Bondurant
From miles high... the ground of a rural area looks as though it has been hand measured... created in particular blocks of farm land... trees and more trees... with houses and buildings nestled throughout. Flying over the mountains... one can see miles of peaks and valleys ... filled with foliage... streams of water lying below the hills... and little sign of inhabitants. Cities can be seen at a distance with miles and miles of structures claiming the ground and signaling a multitude of busy people moving in and out of every crowded segment.
At a distance life is quiet... but with continuous movement and change. Sunlight is reflected with bright and glaring frequency... but comes and goes sporadically.
At a distance the grinding and grueling noise of intricate living is latent and minutely concealed.
At a distance one cannot perceive the personality or uniqueness of individual characteristics.
"Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things."
At a distance ... there is a new perspective regarding our common ground.
At a distance... there is a peace that passes all understanding.
At a distance... strength and commitment can be restored.
At a distance... purpose is renewed.
"So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for God. Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out."
O God, help me find rest from what crowds me in so easily from day to day. Help me look to the heavens... imagine being high on a hill... sitting in the top of the tallest tree... experiencing the wonder of the world at a distance. Let the wind... the sun... the stars... the moon.. the clouds... the birds... the beauty of nature help me soar above daily ordeal that keeps me from finding peace... purpose and pleasure in and around my world. Saturate my mind, body, heart and spirit with compassion that comes from being close but seeing and understanding ... at a distance.
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