2021 Advent Devotions
Friday, December 2 - Pastor Aaron Erdley
Psalm 42:1-2 “As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?”
I have loved singing since I was a child, and I can remember, especially when my older brother was old enough, listening to the adult choir in church and wanting to sing with them. When I got into high school I could finally sing with the adult choir. There was one song that the choir sang, usually once a year. It had become a special song to the choir. It was called “As the Deer.” As beautiful as this song was, I don’t know that I really understood it at the time. The older I get, the more this song and scripture verse means to me.
When I read this Bible verse, I picture a deer that has been running; tired, panting, and finally stops to drink and to rest. I find myself in constant need of being reminded to slow down, breath deep, calm my mind, and allow God to wash over me like the waters of a stream. I long for those moments of peace and calm in my life. Those times when I feel like God is so present with me, I can’t help but feel it.
I have grown to appreciate the busy moments and the work that I do. However, I do find myself longing for God in the quiet moments, the congregational singing moments, the moments when I can lose myself in God. Sometimes those moments seem too few and far between, or perhaps like most of us, I need to remind myself to stop, breath, listen, and look for God.
Prayer: Lord, slow us down and help us to breath in the gift of your Holy Spirit. We long for your presence to be made known more fully in our world. As we yearn for you, draw us closer to one another and to you. Amen.
Psalm 42:1-2 “As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?”
I have loved singing since I was a child, and I can remember, especially when my older brother was old enough, listening to the adult choir in church and wanting to sing with them. When I got into high school I could finally sing with the adult choir. There was one song that the choir sang, usually once a year. It had become a special song to the choir. It was called “As the Deer.” As beautiful as this song was, I don’t know that I really understood it at the time. The older I get, the more this song and scripture verse means to me.
When I read this Bible verse, I picture a deer that has been running; tired, panting, and finally stops to drink and to rest. I find myself in constant need of being reminded to slow down, breath deep, calm my mind, and allow God to wash over me like the waters of a stream. I long for those moments of peace and calm in my life. Those times when I feel like God is so present with me, I can’t help but feel it.
I have grown to appreciate the busy moments and the work that I do. However, I do find myself longing for God in the quiet moments, the congregational singing moments, the moments when I can lose myself in God. Sometimes those moments seem too few and far between, or perhaps like most of us, I need to remind myself to stop, breath, listen, and look for God.
Prayer: Lord, slow us down and help us to breath in the gift of your Holy Spirit. We long for your presence to be made known more fully in our world. As we yearn for you, draw us closer to one another and to you. Amen.
The Way, Truth and Life John 14:16