Psalm 138

How easy it is to give God thanks in the midst of worship-the choir sings, the music resounds, the sanctuary fills with God’s praise. Now the work week starts-how easy is it to offer that same praise as one stumbles through morning preparations and sets off to the workplace?

For me Monday is a full day, and I’m not always filled with praise for God. The consideration of prostrating myself before God conjures up an image of falling asleep rather than joyfully acknowledging  God’s work. You  see, I’ve worked  on  the  sab­bath-as a clergyperson. By Monday morning, I am thinking about the next bulletin and sermon, checking up on prayer concerns of the previous day, and preparing for the week’s meetings.

James Taylor, in his book  Everyday  Psalms, uses  images like extending one’s arms in embrace to capture the essence of the NRSV’s “bow down.” If I embrace,  I muse, there must be something there to hold on to. I haven’t entered my workweek alone: it is not just my ministry; it is work shared with God-and others. Slowly I can join in this psalm of thanksgiving. The energy of God and God’s creation flows into my bones and soul.

It is Monday-again. We are called into vocation once more. We can take the opportunity to offer God not sacrifices, not completed tasks-just thanks for a new day, for accompaniment, for another chance to be who we are created to be. We are called into living in the space between what was and what will be.

PRAYER:

Energizing God, accept our thanks for a day of rest, a time of sleep, a new beginning. Increase the strength of our souls as we face the challenges of a new week. Amen.