2024.02.06

Are you Paying Attention!?!

Last Thursday morning at O’dark-Thirty, I couldn’t get away from Him; 42 was everywhere.

My devotional scripture reading with John Stott was on the acts of piety in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 6:1-18). I hear him say: “Sound no trumpet, be seen by others, heap up phrases, or look gloomy. I see your giving, worshipping, praying, and fasting.”

Then I moved on to my Celtic Daily Prayer book, where I heard Him again, “Think often of me, by day, by night, in your business, and even in your diversions. Do not forget or leave me alone; this is your glorious employment. (“Devoted to Him” – Brother Lawrence: February 1st – p.323)

Then I moved to the kitchen, poured myself coffee in one of my favorite mugs, sat in my comfy chair, and pulled up the scripture of the day from Bible Gateway. What do I find? The Shema!!

“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.” Deuteronomy 6:4-5
“Shema” is the Hebrew word for “hear.”

The rest of the day, I see the number “42” everywhere. I saw Him in the forecasted high temperature for the day, on the clock at 5:42 am, on the speedometer in my car, and more! It is like having tinnitus of the soul, and I loved it. No matter where I go or what I do, You were there, O Triune God of Grace.

Even as I drafted this bLOG that morning, I hit save. At that very moment, my phone reminded me to say the Shema, just as it does everyday at 6 am, 12 pm, 6 pm, and 10 pm. I couldn’t help but laugh as I sat in the candlelit kitchen!