Please forgive me because this week’s musing is directed at a very specific target audience.

Me.

Feel free to eavesdrop.

Last week I watched Monday Night Football with great interest because my Fantasy Football championship was at stake. A few minutes into the game that became the most meaningless thing in the world. I witnessed along with millions the terrifying collapse of Buffalo Bill defensive back Damar Hamlin. It was obvious from the players reactions on the field that this was not a typical injury situation. We learned that CPR was being administered to restore Hamlin’s heartbeat. Millions united in prayer as he was rushed to the hospital in critical condition.

I was encouraged by the unity shown by people around the world as they joined in prayer and support for Damar and his family. As I write this the prognosis for Damar Hamlin is very encouraging.

I was once again reminded of the uncertainty of my days on earth. I may have 20 years or 20 minutes and only God knows that number. Time and time again over the years I have had similar moments where I determined to be more aware of how precious life is and to live out of that mindset.

But I always forget and allow myself to fall back into reacting to meaningless annoyances and worthless distractions. Here is my take away from the incident on the field in Cincinnati last week.

Every day is sacred. Today is sacred.

I started running that through my mind each morning this this week and throughout the day. I was driving Friday when a car cut me off and I had my normal not kind initial reaction. That momentary reaction is not necessarily sin. Dwelling on that feeling and allowing it to change your spirit is sin. I remembered my morning emphasis.

Every day is sacred. Today is sacred.

That allowed me to change focus to the bigger picture. I am healthy and able to drive. God protected me from an accident. I don’t know what that driver’s story might be. So I simply breathed a prayer for that driver’s safety and those around them. I asked that God would be present in their life. What a difference that awareness made.

This journey is full of frustrating situations and frustrating people. But I believe with all of my heart that there are sacred moments to be found in even the most mundane of days. Those moments don’t come up and tap you on the shoulder. You have to be in tune with the Holy Spirit to receive those sacred moments. Let me disclaim that I am not accomplished in this practice but I am praying that the Spirit of God will allow me to recognize these sacred events.

Psalm 139 clearly and poetically proclaims that God is the middle of everything I do. I suspect that every day I am stubbing my toe on something sacred even as I complain about something insignificant.

This week’s mental post-note is very simple.

Today Is Sacred.

David wrote about the constant presence of God in Psalm 139.

You go before me and follow me.
    You place your hand of blessing on my head.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
    too great for me to understand! (Psalm 139:5-6, NLT)

If I believe that to be true then I have to believe there are daily sacred moments to be received and given away. They don’t have to be earth shaking in their scope. Just a simple act of love, kindness, service, or concern can be a sacred moment.

I don’t want to live in a world of frustration, angst, and division. We witnessed with the reaction to Damar Hamlin’s crisis how empowering unity can be. Why can’t we as the body of Christ do better? I want to focus on who unites us.

Jesus.

I want to focus on what gives me strength and courage.

God’s constant presence.

I want to pray for open eyes to see and enjoy the sacred moments in every day.

David concludes Psalm 139 with this amazing request.

Search me, O God, and know my heart;
    test me and know my anxious thoughts.
Point out anything in me that offends you,
    and lead me along the path of everlasting life. (Psalm 139:23-24, NLT)

Thank you for this day dear Lord. Remind me through your Spirit that today and everyday is sacred. Please use me as an instrument to show your love and grace today.