I have to admit I’ve been a little bored lately. Tom and I got to work where we give the same short speech 100 times a day. We walk along the trails of the park. On Thursdays we pick up our groceries. Once a week we order takeout and walk on the beach. I have been doing this same routine since the middle of March.
So I have been doing a few little things to try to spice things up. One of them is reading The Message, the paraphrased version of the Bible written by Eugene Peterson. Peterson wrote his paraphrase to help people connect in a more vital way to the Bible. I usually read the New International Version or the Revised Standard Version. All the Bible verses I’ve memorized come from one of these two versions. They are familiar, comfortable, and comforting.
But sometimes they may be a little too familiar. When we get bored, tired of the same old routine, we need to shake things up a little. I was reminded of this, especially when I read Psalm 105 in The Message. Here are the first six verses of Psalm 105.
Hallelujah! Thank God! Pray to him by name!
Tell everyone you meet what he has done!
Sing him songs, belt out hymns, translate his wonders into music!
Honor his holy name with Hallelujahs, you who seek God. Live a happy life!
Keep your eyes open for God, watch for his works; be alert for signs of his presence.
Remember the world of wonders he has made, his miracles, and the verdicts he’s rendered
O seed of Abraham, his servant, O child of Jacob, his chosen.
Verse 4, “Keep your eyes open for God, watch for his works; be alert for signs of his presence.” When I read this, it felt like God was speaking to my boredom. How can I find a day filled with his works and his presence boring? Each day is a new miracle, a new blessing. A chance to see what God has done with new eyes.
I decided I need to start each day with this one verse and since I’ve done that, I haven’t been bored. Keep your eyes open for God, watch for his works; be alert for signs of his presence. With this verse in mind, I look forward to every moment as a new chance to see God. Walking on the beach – along the nature trail – talking to a visitor. God is revealed in each circumstance and that is never boring!
Where has God revealed himself to you today? Keep your eyes open – and let me know what you see.