5 Then you should solemnly state before the Lord your God:
“My father was a starving Aramean. He went down to Egypt, living as an immigrant there with few family members, but that is where he became a great nation, mighty and numerous. 6 The Egyptians treated us terribly, oppressing us and forcing hard labor on us. 7 So we cried out for help to the Lord, our ancestors’ God. The Lord heard our call. God saw our misery, our trouble, and our oppression. 8 The Lord brought us out of Egypt with a strong hand and an outstretched arm, with awesome power, and with signs and wonders. 9 He brought us to this place and gave us this land—a land full of milk and honey. 10 So now I am bringing the early produce of the fertile ground that you, Lord, have given me.”
Set the produce before the Lord your God, bowing down before the Lord your God.
Reflection
I’ll be the first to admit that I can get trapped in my own head a little bit. When my schedule is full and my to-do list overflows, I can become so distracted that I forget silly things: where I put my keys (once they were in the fridge); when I last saw my phone (sometimes I start looking for it while I am talking on it); the message that was communicated to me just a few moments earlier (I’m the queen of “I’m sorry – can you repeat that please?”).
I’m not proud of it, but occasionally I forget bigger things: To kiss my spouse on the mad dash to get out the door, to feed my dog, to call that friend back… or to call on my better angels in a moment when I lose my patience because something simply took too long.
Busyness is often a distraction that pulls my life off center.
When the Israelites get to the land God was promising them, God asked them to engage in a ritual every year: Bring the first fruits of your harvest as an offering to God each year and remember your journey. They were to regularly remember how the Lord had heard their cries, delivered them from suffering, and brought them into a land of abundance. The ritual was significant: it functioned to center them around the truth of God’s faithfulness and provision in their lives that they would be constantly tempted to forget amid all the things that pulled at their focus.
In our busy, fast-paced lives, it’s easy to become distracted. We become consumed by all kinds of things: work, relationships, the pursuit of success, the latest trends and comforts, grief, political decisions, and more. Not all these distractions are inherently bad, but they can slowly shift our focus away from the things that truly matter—the goodness of God, the blessings of God, and the purpose God has called us to.
Acts of remembrance are significant for us too. Just as the Israelites needed to reflect on their history to stay grounded in God’s provision and faithfulness, we too must regularly remember where God has brought us from and where He is leading us. Without this reflection, it’s easy for distractions to pull us off-center.
So, what’s your ritual? For me, most days I try to get up an hour early to drink coffee, read my bible, and pray before looking at my email. When I’m feeling really frazzled, I will power down all my electronics for 5 minutes at some point during the day to simply breathe deeply and rest in whatever quiet space I can find.
We all need a practice that can bring us back to center – and back to God – when we find ourselves distracted by all that life throws our way. To live without it can feel like wandering in the wilderness just like the Israelites in this passage.
How will you make a choice to center yourself today?
by Kate Monahan
For Pondering and Prayer
Ask yourself what distractions may be pulling you off-center. Are there habits or attitudes that are causing you to lose focus on what truly matters? Make an intentional effort to choose one practice you will do today to keep God at the center.
Prayer: O Gracious Giver of Life, we thank You for Your faithfulness and provision in our lives. We confess that we often become distracted, and we forget all that You have done for us. Help us to stay centered on You, to reflect on Your goodness, and to keep our eyes on the promises You have given us. May we live with gratitude, always offering the first fruits of our hearts back to You. Guide us back to focus when we find ourselves wandering astray. Amen.
