During this season I have come right up against my productivity and what I have to “show” for myself. Maybe you can relate. What have I accomplished, how much am I doing, how impressive is my life? In a slow season where our lives have been simplified significantly, it seems like a beautiful opportunity to throw away any desire to be impressive. One less heavy thing to carry. Here is today’s liturgy to help us in this release.

When our social calendars are thrown away,
when our work looks entirely different,
when our trips are cancelled,
when our events are postponed,
when what we have depended on to feel worthy is stripped away,
show us a new way, Lord. 

Circumstances have stolen our facades, the masks we hide behind to convince ourselves that we are doing enough.

Lord, help us release our need to be impressive.
Instead help us find a love for who we are.
Forgive us for running so hard toward the wrong things.

During times of staying at home, of not having much to “show,” to post, to prove —
Teach us what matters.
Give us purpose beyond what we have prior believed.

The devil tempted even You with the desire to be impressive —
jump and let the angels catch you.
You said no. Because You knew the truth:
 obedience to the Father was worth more to You than being impressive to people.
Forgive us for jumping so quickly, every time.

Give us a new desire to be like You.
Help us trust that this is better than striving for momentary attention.
May we learn in this season what matters eternally.

“The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; He will rejoice over you in gladness; He will quiet you by His love; He will exult over you with loud singing.”
Zephaniah 3:17