Daily Devotionals

Everything in me waits for Adonai more than guards on watch wait for morning (Psalms 130:6).

An old Jewish story tells of a mute shepherd boy who slips into the back of a synagogue toward the end of the Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) service. He is frustrated that he cannot join in with the fervent prayers of the Holy Day. The service approaches its climax as the entire congregation cries out seven times , "ADONAI Hu HaElohim!" (the LORD he is God!) The shepherd boy pulls from his pocket a little whistle that he has carved from a peach pit to call his sheep. At the final repetition of the mighty declaration, he lets out a shrill blast that lingers long after the words end. The congregation gasps in unison and gazes at him in horror. He has desecrated this holy moment! But the wise old rabbi smiles at the lad. "Finally," he says, "we are ready to end the service, because we have prayed with all our hearts."

The form of prayer is important, but kavvanah—the heart's intention to worship God—is indispensable. We are involved in a constant struggle to maintain kavvanah in the midst of our busy routines. Sometimes even religious routine can inhibit kavvanah. But like the old rabbi, we must recognize that some "distractions"may actually serve to draw us closer to God.

...be open to the unexpected people or events that may come to shake up my routine and restore my focus on God.

RR