The Upper Room 29 May 2022 Daily Devotional for Sunday Message. Read The Upper Room 29 May 2022 Daily Devotional by Leonora “Lee” Smith (North Carolina, USA)
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TOPIC: A New Perspective
TODAY’S READING
Nehemiah 8:9-12
KEY VERSE: This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. – Psalm 118:24 (NRSV)
The Upper Room 29 May 2022 Daily Devotional MESSAGE
When I retired, I was determined to stay busy. I had ample time, and I viewed it as an opportunity to serve God by giving back to others. But I kept myself too busy. For a few years I was fine running from one activity or meeting to another, but then I became plagued with discontentment — even a deep feeling of sadness. I didn’t feel joy, and I didn’t know why. After all, wasn’t I serving God?
Surprisingly my perspective changed during the pandemic when all of us were forced to slow down or stop. I began to appreciate simple things like birds singing in the morning and watching the beauty of spring unfold. Most important, I discovered that in all my busyness, I had been neglecting quiet time with God. No wonder I felt such heaviness and sadness!
I’m making some positive changes now. None of us is guaranteed tomorrow, so I’m focusing on activities that bring me joy as I serve others. I guard my meeting time with God every morning, and that helps me rejoice in each day no matter what may come my way.
TODAY’S PRAYER
Heavenly Father, help us always to seek you first. Thank you for the joy we find in you. Amen.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Today I will seek God first.
PRAYER FOCUS
Someone experiencing burnout
The Upper Room 29 May 2022 Daily Devotional Message. The Upper Room is a daily devotional magazine published in more than 30 languages and 100 countries around the world. The daily meditations are written by readers of the magazine and others interested in sharing their faith experiences through writing—both laity and clergy, published authors and new writers. The meditations are stories of real people working to live faithfully with the Bible as their touchstone. Every day, readers of The Upper Room around the world read the same story in many different languages and pray the same prayer together. Read More