Narrative Lectionary Key Verse for Today
“To you, O God of my ancestors,
I give thanks and praise,
for you have given me wisdom and power,
and have now revealed to me what we asked of you,
for you have revealed to us what the king ordered.”
NL Daily Devotion for Saturday, August 10, 2024
by R. M. Fergus, Clergy Stuff
Gratitude is so important. It would’ve been easy for Daniel to take credit for guessing and then correctly interpreting the king’s dream. Why not enjoy the distinction of being the most wizardy wizard in the court?
At that point, he probably would’ve started believing his own hype. That’s the danger of not giving credit where it’s due. We start to think we’re all that and a bag of chips and that other people just don’t rate. Our egos exceed their proper boundaries and we start stepping on others’ toes and then being surprised and resentful when they retaliate. It sets up a cycle of the kind of drama so many people seem to be addicted to in their media consumption (reality TV anyone?) and even their lives.
God calls us, like Daniel, into a state of humility. We let go of the need to distinguish ourselves personally in our communities and society. We turn away from self-obsession and see where we can be of love and service to others. The environment this creates in our lives is so much more peaceful and conducive to creativity and self-care and strong relationships. I am grateful every day for all the ways God shows up in my life, and it makes a huge difference in all that I say and do and experience.
Do I regularly practice gratitude? What does that look like in my day-to-day life?
