The God of Galaxies Cares about Me

A Note from Beth: Please take a few minutes take a few minutes to give me some feedback on The Uncluttered Heart. Click here to take the survey. Blessings and thanks, Beth

Prayer

Creative and creating God, thank you for creating the universe with its vast galaxies. And thank you for creating me, infinitely tiny in comparison but precious in your sight. Amen.

Carry These Words in Your Heart Today

The God of 150 billion galaxies cares about me.

Today's Picture

This was the moon rise in a Washington sky last summer. It reminded me that I'm not the center of the Universe (thank goodness!).

Question

How would your life change if you were able to keep God at the center rather than other things? Share your thoughts on the question or on today's entry in the book.

Book of the Day

Spiritual Preparation for Christian Leadership
E. Glenn Hinson

I got to study under Glenn Hinson a few years ago when he was a presenter at my Academy for Spiritual Formation. I had always loved this book, but hearing him speak brought the pages of the book more alive for me. In this book, he examines the spiritual preparation of the ordinary people who were invited to become Christian leaders and saints. The quote from Spiritual Preparation that we used in The Uncluttered Heart is one of my favorite Upper Room gems. (Today's words for the day come from that quote.) More about the book.

Sing Your Prayer

Open My Heart - All four verses. Listen.

Comments

[Molly]

I agree, thank goodness it all doesn't depend on me !
I liked the bit saying, ' Yet God's greatness is not the most awesome discovery. ...'
This God of 150 billion galaxies not only cares about me but he came to live a human life and died for me.
'Praise the name of the Lord, for he commanded and it was all created.'
Utterly staggering.

[Michelle]

I know there would be deeper peace, contentment and certainly JOY. I've experienced times like this -- the cares and concerns I carry daily seem to disappear.
"Come unto Me -- get away with Me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me -- watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with Me and I'll show you how to live freely and lightly" -- Matt 11, the Message.

[Daria]

When I put God at the center of all things, my life feels light, unhurried, uncluttered and calm. My choices are clear, indecision fades. Love is my default.

Molly's description, "untterly staggering" works for me, too. Sometimes I think all this -- the creation of the universe, the death and resurrection of Christ, the presence of the Holy Spirit -- is so improbable, it must be true. But logic is not faith. And I'm reminded again of the paradox of my existence: one in billions, singularly precious. How humbling.

[Beth A. Richardson]

If I could keep God at the center, I imagine that I would be much better at surrendering my worries and little concerns. I would live more in the present moment. I long for that. I commit to be more persistent today in turning things over and keeping God at the center.

Many blessings,
Beth

[Genie]

I love the translation of Matt 11 from the Message - that plus the photo of moon and balsam trees reminds me of the peace of Jesus that I felt as a teen on a Wisconsin farm: the sunlight, the gentle wind, not worrying about the next school year or the next errand trip to town.
We put God at the center of our lives, but God also puts us in the center by surrounding us with comfort, guidance and peace.. A pastor here in Arizona has a prayer: "Christ before me to show me the way, Christ beside me to walk with me, Christ behind me to push me where I may not want to go, Christ above me to watch over me and Christ within me to give me peace. May the peace of Christ be with you.

[Duane]

We live in the Presence of God. The Bible says "In Him we live, and move, and have our being." The limitless power, which is Intelligence and Love - God - can be contacted at any time by turning to Him in thought, and allowing Him to fill our hearts. Whenever we do this He at once begins to influence our lives for peace and harmony and freedom. (Emmet Fox)

[Caylyn]

Keeping Creator God of the Universe at the center of all that I/we do can sometimes be a balancing act. There is a time to focus on the tasks that He has given me to do...yet there are times that I need to just rest in Him and let Him show me how to do those tasks so that they glorify Him.
I pray that all glory and honor goes to Him for he is worthy! And that the work I do for him will show others the way to a closer walk with HIM!
Blessings to all.