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June and I were discussing “holy moments,” the concept I wrote about yesterday from The Biggest Lie in the History of Christianity by Matthew Kelly.
Can you go out tomorrow and create just one Holy Moment? Not a holy life or even a holy day…just one single Holy Moment…A Holy Moment is a moment when you open yourself to God. You make yourself available to him. You set aside what you feel like doing in that moment, and you set aside self-interest, and for one moment you simply do what you prayerfully believe God is calling you to do in that moment. That is a Holy Moment. (Chapter 7)
We weren’t even thinking about the list I presented recently on fruitfulness or “How can God use me today?” I think Matthew Kelly’s concept of holy moments and fruitfulness are related, and here’s the list as suggested by Mark Greene in Fruitfulness on the Frontlines.”
- Model godly character
- Make good work
- Minister grace and love
- Mold culture
- Be a Mouthpiece for truth and justice
- Be a Messenger of the gospel
Anyway, as June and I were talking, we both jumped up to do something—to create a “holy moment.” She went to the kitchen to start preparing for dinner for six. I went to use the weedeater on some unsightly growth at the edge of our yard. We were both “making good work”!
But I got a bonus: the garbage guys came by as I was on my way to use the weedeater. I love the garbage guys: they do very important work, so whenever I see them I tell them so. David, the garbage guy, lit up. We shook hands and chatted for a minute about how valuable his work was. So I “ministered grace and love” while on my way to “make good work.” Another holy (fruitful) moment.
By the way, I did NOT create such a moment when we were at a restaurant a couple of weeks ago, and our order arrived much later than I thought it should have…
By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. (John 15.8, ESV)
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” (Matthew 22.36 – 39, NIV)
Very insightful and helpful.
This morning I went in for bloodwork, before I read this post. I was the first person in the queue waiting for the lab to open. Another woman came and we chatted. She was stressed because of her tight schedule and I told her she could go first. She was very relieved and we discussed other things. When we got in, the tech noticed she was in front of me and asked me about it, as she knew I had arrived first. I appreciated that and told her we had switched places. Maybe there were a few holy moments there? And I hope all of this caused a pleasant chain reaction throughout the day.
My thanks to you and June.
Lots of holy moments, Kathleen! Good show!