Sunday, June 17
Honor Yourself
Narrative Lectionary Daily Devotions written by Kace Leetch from Clergy Stuff.
The first commandments from God established a relationship between God and God’s people. The next commandments established the healthy functioning of people with other people. Here, God asks us to establish a healthy relationship with ourselves.
To covet the lives of other people is to disrespect the life we have been given, and that we have created. If we are focusing on what we don’t have, we can never truly appreciate what we do have.
There are several practices that can help us nurture our relationship with self. Gratitude is a highly underrated gift. Science has shown that gratitude and fear cannot occupy the same space. When we practice gratitude, our depression, anxiety, and fear diminish. The more we practice gratitude, the stronger it gets.
Meditation quiets the mind, and gives us time and space to let our brains sort the millions of things floating around in them into the places they need to be sorted. It also helps us become more self-aware. Some people have even discovered major illnesses or injuries simply by cultivating a strong self-awareness, and being able to easily recognize when things are off.
Physical activity also helps us respect ourselves. It is good for our body, mind, and spirit. A brisk walk not only improves our cardiovascular health, but also gives us time our brains desperately need away from screen time and schedules. Eating foods that fuel our bodies and getting adequate sleep also enhance our quality of life.
And, of course, nurturing our spiritual selves is crucial to cultivating a healthy relationship with self. As we dive deep into our faith journeys, we can ask ourselves: Who am I? How do I want to show up in the world? What kind of person has God created me to be? Am I being true to my most authentic self? Am I cultivating resilience?
It can be easy to let slide our self-care. But it is in God’s plan for us to build and nurture relationships with God, with others, and with ourselves.
Narrative Lectionary Text: Exodus 20:17
You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or male or female slave, or ox, or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.