God,
John Wesley asked all of his preachers to “never be triflingly employed,” and I agreed to such a promise when I was ordained. What does that mean, God?With the days I have left, what should I do with my time? The psalmist teaches me to “number my days” so that I might get “a heart of wisdom.” (Ps 90) It seems a bit of a silly challenge, as I don’t know if today will be the day I will take my last breath or whether the decades will pass until I am ready and willing to cross the Jordan. So how might I number those days? Nonetheless, I know that their number is finite, and each day that passes, there is one fewer. What shall I do with the ones I have?
So God, let’s start with right now. Today, show me a moment I should not miss, a moment to grow a relationship, to share your love, to rejoice with those who rejoice and suffer with those who suffer. Show me a moment to build up rather than tear down, to be your vessel to make the world a little more just, a little more caring, a little more hospitable for all of your children. Show me the marvelous blessings you have given me to enjoy, and let not shame or guilt take those away from me. Most of all, show me your presence in every moment, every hour of this glorious day.
Today, O God, show me a moment I need to pass on by, a moment in which I am tempted to be triflingly employed. Remind me of the ways those things that seem trifling can make a difference as part of the whole so that I might understand myself as a part of something much bigger than this moment, part of your ongoing work. Turn me away from fight-picking, time-wasting, other-judging, self-promoting, fear-mongering, or any of those sins that suck away energy that I could use for loving others with the hours of this day. God, only you can number my days. So I will just focus on this one. Show me how to use it wisely. Amen