Wednesday, January 17

Natural Rhythms

Narrative Lectionary Daily Devotions written by Kace Leetch from Clergy Stuff.

God's creation has a rhythm. We are so entrenched in the rhythm, it's sometimes easy to miss. But God's cadence is all around us. We wake with the sun (give or take a few hours). We work til dark (+/-). We eat and sleep every day. We change our wardrobe with the changing of the seasons. Today is a cold one. (Unless you're in Australia, in which case :P) These are rhythms we've gotten used to and live in without much thought.

There are other rhythms that are not as easy to identify. You've probably heard of Circadian rhythm, a measurement of your body's clock as it relates to sleep (and subsequently eating, working, etc.). You may not have heard of Biorhythm. It's a fairly controversial theory that a human body has a series of rhythms that include physical, emotional, and intellectual cycles, as well as spiritual, awareness, aesthetic, and intuition cycles. Some believe if you start with your date of birth, your rhythms can be calculated so you can determine when these traits are strongest and when they are weakest. 

I've included here a link to a biorhythm calculator.

http://www.procato.com/biorhythm/

At best, you can gain insight into your body's natural cycles. At worst, you'll have a bit of fun. Either way, we can all appreciate God's gift of cycles in nature. Enjoy!

Narrative Lectionary Text: Psalm 104:10-23

You make springs gush forth in the valleys;
   they flow between the hills, 
giving drink to every wild animal;
   the wild asses quench their thirst. 
By the streams the birds of the air have their habitation;
   they sing among the branches. 
From your lofty abode you water the mountains;
   the earth is satisfied with the fruit of your work. 

You cause the grass to grow for the cattle,
   and plants for people to use,
to bring forth food from the earth, 
   and wine to gladden the human heart,
oil to make the face shine,
   and bread to strengthen the human heart. 
The trees of the Lord are watered abundantly,
   the cedars of Lebanon that he planted. 
In them the birds build their nests;
   the stork has its home in the fir trees. 
The high mountains are for the wild goats;
   the rocks are a refuge for the coneys. 
You have made the moon to mark the seasons;
   the sun knows its time for setting. 
You make darkness, and it is night,
   when all the animals of the forest come creeping out. 
The young lions roar for their prey,
   seeking their food from God. 
When the sun rises, they withdraw
   and lie down in their dens. 
People go out to their work
   and to their labour until the evening.