For several years now, I have been writing these weekly ponderings. Sometimes ideas just flow non-stop as to what could be said. Other times, I have severe cases of writer’s block. This week was one of the latter. There have been a lot of distractions, situations and matters to attend to that pull me in other directions. So much so that I really needed some inspiration.
That’s when I opened my Bible app and encountered the verse for the day: “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer” (Psalm 19:14, NRSV). This is a very familiar Bible passage, especially for pastors and anyone who preaches, as it is the prayer we say when preparing for and just prior to delivering the word that has been given to us for a variety of situations. Yet, there it was, right in front of me once again. Yes, I certainly wanted whatever I was to write to be acceptable to God, but I was still uncertain what it was that was to be said.
Then I began preparing for Bible study, wherein we are covering the First Letter of Peter, and were to cover the end of chapter four. There Peter writes these words: “Whoever speaks must do so as one speaking the very words of God…so that God may be glorified in all things…” (4:11, NRSV). Suddenly it made sense! Whatever we say (and do) is for the glory of God, isn’t it? Whatever actions we take, whatever conversations we have, whatever situation we encounter is all for the glory of God. Even in times when we don’t know what to say or do, it is still for the glory of God, for it is in those moments that we have to trust more fully in God to provide the way, to open doors when they seem closed (or open up a writer’s blocked mind).
All that we do as Christians should be acceptable in God’s sight, shouldn’t it? It should be acceptable at all times and places because God is always with us, can always see what we are doing, and hear what we are saying. The real question is – is God always glorified in those situations? Or, do we think that God only pays attention on Sunday morning or during our morning and evening prayers?
Perhaps all of our ponderings need to be – is what I am doing glorifying God in the process? If not, perhaps our prayer needs to be those words of Psalm 19:14 – that all we say, do, and are is acceptable to our rock and redeemer.
Always pondering, Pastor Steve
