Narrative Lectionary Key Verse for Today
“O Lord, my heart is not lifted up, my eyes are not raised too high; I do not occupy myself with things too great and too marvelous for me.
But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; my soul is like the weaned child that is with me.
O Israel, hope in the Lord from this time on and forevermore.”
NL Daily Devotion for Monday, February 5, 2024
by R. M. Fergus, Clergy Stuff
I crave quiet and simplicity. I know not everyone does. Some people are truly called to a “big life”—to engage with lots of people, laugh loudly, and throw themselves into the world around them. As an introvert, I can pass for outgoing in such situations for a while, but sooner or later (and usually sooner) I need to retreat, regroup, recharge. I wonder if Jesus was an introvert. He certainly lived a big life, and was surrounded by people a lot of the time. But he frequently took himself off alone to pray, and I wonder if he wasn’t a little overwhelmed by everything. Maybe that’s why he kept telling people not to tell anyone he’d healed them. As if they could keep it in.
Even true extroverts need down time, though. We are all called into these sweet, intimate moments with God when we can calm and quiet our souls and lean into the arms of our Mother. This short little psalm is a wonderful reminder that God is always there, waiting to hold us and restore us.
Where and how do I recharge best?
