Matthew 24:42,44 NLT

'So you, too, must keep watch! For you don’t know what day your Lord is coming...You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected.'

The great benefit of an established rhythm of prayer encounter is that I am reminded every day of God. Even as I make my way to my place of prayer, my mind is fast filling with thoughts about the day ahead, disappointments from the day before, large amounts of noisy information that captures my attention and pushes God’s relevance to the background. Yet, keeping watch, gazing upon God for no other reason than God is God, is essential for our growth in faith and personal engagement with him.

Celebrations are creative moments throughout the year to remind us of God’s relevance and our own waywardness. Such waywardness is not evil, it’s just that life is full of distractions. I work a lot with ageing groups and have noticed specifically with my own mum that having more time available can prove a challenge. Mobility and energy issues can mean there is less appetite for previous hobbies. Dexterity deteriorates and memory fades. If one has not developed an ability to simply behold the divine, then that time can weigh heavily and prove frustrating. This is because much of what we do to fill our time acts as a distraction from reflecting upon the nature, character and presence of God.

I have got to grips with an inner restlessness that used to disturb and drive me, and interrupted times when I was legitimately on holiday, to the annoyance of friends and family. It’s enabled me to live without my smartphone and leave it in another room when I settle to watch TV or talk with friends. I’ve begun to enjoy the discipline of letting my active thought life float to the back of my consciousness and simply become unaware and undisturbed by the passing of time.

Celebration is an opportunity to put God first in our affections and balance life around him.

QUESTION: Are you committed to the distractions like Martha, or are you devoted to beholding God as Mary was?

PRAYER: Lord, help me put aside the distractions of life and focus my heart and soul on your goodness and grace.