“All the things in this world are gifts of God, created for us, to be the means by which we can come to know him better, love him more surely, and serve him more faithfully.”
— St. Ignatius of Loyola
Meditation of the Day – Make Sure Your Desires Are Not Motivated by Selfishness
Morning Offering – Help Me to Make Time Today to Serve You
“Lord, help me to make time today to serve you in those who are most in need of encouragement or assistance.”
— St. Vincent de Paul
//The Catholic Company//
Daily Devotion – Daily Time with God
“He shall burn it every morning … When Aaron sets up the lamps at twilight, he shall burn incense. There shall be perpetual incense before the Lord throughout your generations.” – Exodus 30:7-9 NASB
One of Aaron’s primary responsibilities as a priest was to take care of the lamps set before God. He was assigned to trim them not occasionally or often, but twice each day – every morning and evening. God wanted these lamps to burn constantly and as brightly as possible. Aaron had other duties that would keep him busy. He easily could have been distracted. But he never could forget the lamps.
While central to his ministry, this assignment also an important part of his personal life. This was a daily reminder to focus on God, to think about His Word, to evaluate his own heart and priorities, and to make sure He was serving Him faithfully.
These principles still apply to each believer. Every day, we each have many options about how we spend our time and what we do with our resources. How easily we can focus on our jobs or hobbies, our interests or families, world events or the news, even religious activities instead of on spiritual matters.
But the assignment given to Aaron reminds us why it is important to begin and end every day with God, to read His Word, to pray and spend time with Him, and to seek to be attuned to His Spirit.
Don’t ignore your “lamp,” but seek to make your testimony burn brightly. Spend quality time with God. Dedicate your life to Him. Seek to please Him and faithfully serve Him.
Prayer
Father, I seek to serve You. Purge anything that displeases You. Forgive my sins. Help me burn brightly for You. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Extended Reading
Exodus 30
//Inspiration Ministries//