Second Week of Easter: From FEAR to WORTH

STEP ONE: BREATHE

Take a deep, cleansing breath. Allow the air to fill your lungs and expand your body. Exhale and empty yourself into the room. Repeat three times - once for the one who Created you, once for the Incarnate One who walks beside you, and once for the Spirit whose life fills your being.

STEP TWO: DWELL IN WORD

“What a beautiful home, God-of-the-Angel-Armies!
I’ve always longed to live in a place like this
Always dreamed of a room in your house,
where I could sing for joy to God-alive!
Birds find nooks and crannies in your house,
sparrows and swallows make nests there.
They lay their eggs and raise their young,
singing their songs in the place where we worship.
God-of-the-Angel-Armies! King! God.
How blessed they are to live and sing there!”
”

— Psalm 84:1-4 (the Message)

Song: Prayer of the Birds

Chorus: A beautiful sound as the day breaks

They never worry about the right words.

What if we pray, lifting a song

simple and trusting as the prayer of the birds.

Wasting the wonder of being alive worried, and annoyed

Faith songs all caged when we’re disengaged

from the promise that opens our joy.

(chorus)

We’re better than birds at expecting trouble to come.

Striving to buy some good life, but why?

These idols we serve leave us dumb

(chorus)

STEP THREE: PRAY

Lord, teach me to live in humble trust, receiving the gifts of each moment as you provide for my needs. Let me hear the choir of bird songs as a reminder of your invitation to let go of anxiety so that I too can sing the song of joy and gratitude. Thank you that my deepest truest identity and worth is inherent because I am your beloved child. Amen.

Today’s devotion is by Pastor Steve Thompson (song) and Pastor Tom Jenkins (photo)

Permission granted to share with family and friends.