Dog barks, jumps off the bed, goes to the back door. Whines to go out.
I roll over, look at the clock. It’s too early. I continued to lie.
In time, I get up. Start the shower. Let the dogs out. Set out their food. Shower. Dress. Make coffee. Set out my own food. Listen to the morning news and eat.
I put the dogs up. Put my dishes away. Grab my work bag and keys. Walk out to the car.
Start the car. Drive to work. Park in the parking garage. Walk down three flights of stairs. Walk to the hospital. Ride the elevator up four flights. Walk to the office. Sit down at the computer.
Actions. Movements. Breaths. Heart beats. Time. Moments.
I’ve always loved the passage in Deuteronomy 6:4-9
Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.5 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 6 These
commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 8 Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. 9 Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates. (NIV)
I did not know though, for a long time, that this passage was part of the Shema. The Shema is a Jewish prayer that was recited in the morning and in the evening. It was their statement of faith and to affirm God’s kingship.
The Shema encapsulates the idea of every moment holy; it defines the idea that God is personal and demands love from His people with every aspect of their being.
So, whether I am laying in bed, driving to work, eating, walking my dogs, talking with a friend, watching television, voting, shopping, paying bills, listening to music, it is all an aspect of my being. In all of these moments I am to love God.
We read in Colossians 3:17, And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (NRSV)
Every moment is Holy, because every moment is with God.
