Seek to Be the Balm in Gilead

 Seek to Be the Balm in Gilead

 

Is there no balm in Gilead?
   Is there no physician there?
Why then has the health of my poor people
   not been restored? Jeremiah 8:22

 

Diana Butler Bass made an excellent point about Spirituality in her book, Grounded:

“Spirituality is not just about sitting in a room encountering a mystical god in meditation or about seeing God in a sunset. Awe is the gateway to compassion. It is a deep awareness that we are creators, creators who work with the Creator, in an ongoing project of crafting a world. If we do not like the world or are afraid of it, we have had a hand in that. And if we made a mess, we can clean it up and do better. We are what we make.”

God of awe and compassion, help us to see your presence in every moment. As we ponder the smallest speck that the eye can see or the starry expanse of the universe, open our eyes and minds to the awesomeness of your creation. As we listen to the voices of those who are sick, tired, afraid and lonely, and those who cry out for justice and peace, open our ears and hearts to your compassion. Stir within us the courage to offer more than words, but deeds that bring solace, healing, wholeness and righteousness. Forgive us when our vision fails, our hearing stops, our courage falters and our love dwindles. Rekindle the flame of compassion, Oh God, for we are in awe of you and seek to be the ‘balm in Gilead to heals the sin-sick soul.” Amen. (Genesis 37:25, Genesis 43:11, Jeremiah 8:22)

 

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