Devotional for the Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost

16th Sunday after Pentecost September 8, 2013 Psalm 139: 1-6, 13-18   “You study my traveling and resting, You are thoroughly familiar with all my ways.” (Psalm 139:3, CEB) Devotion  Comfont, combined with caution. As someone who leads a very full life, schedule-wise, and who often finds himself on the road  (or preparing to be!), I am comforted by the fact that God studies my travel and my rest. This same study, however, reminds me to be cautious. The busyness that our culture so often worships rewards us with lives that are out of balance. We are tempted to travel more than we rest and that imbalance does not go unnoticed by our Creator, Redeemer and Sustainer. The caution, for me, comes from the fact that the commandment to observe the Sabbath and keep it holy is just that: a commandment. May we be mindful and fiercely protective of the precious Sabbath time that God commands us to observe. Prayer O Lord, remind us that you give rest to us, your beloved ones. Rev. Joe Stobaugh President of The Fellowship Executive Minister of Worship and Arts Grace Avenue United Methodist Church Frisco, TX