Rhythms of Remembrance
Open Your Bible
Leviticus 23:1-44, Leviticus 24:1-23, Mark 2:27-28, Colossians 2:16-17
BY Claire Gibson
In college, I sat down every morning and planned my day in hour-long increments. In addition to my responsibilities as a student, I was a member of a sorority and a volunteer leader for a parachurch ministry. Occasionally, I popped into practices for the women’s lacrosse club or filled in during a game. Most days, my “responsibilities” made me feel genuinely happy. But the pace was relentless. I started breaking my daily schedule into 15-minute increments to ensure I had time to shower and eat.
Looking back, I see my younger self racing around, trying to convince the world that she was important. Her little 15-minute-by-15-minute schedules were proof: she was going places. Now, I am a wife, mother, and a sometimes-writer. I often see that girl in the mirror—the same one who feels she can’t afford to waste a moment, so she lets no one down, most of all, herself.
But God is trying to teach me that my time is not my own. Leviticus 23 outlines the rhythms of life for Israelites. And when I first read the chapter, three things jumped off the page. First, God makes specific, clear, and practical demands on people’s time and resources. Second, these demands inspire an adverse reaction in me that I like to call “obligation creep”—that feeling I get when my commitments outweigh my desire or ability to keep them. Third, the chapter shows me that rituals matter.
When we race through life, jumping from minute to minute, hour to hour, it’s easy to forget that God is omnipresent, above time. Our days are not our own. Leviticus 23 reminds me of this same reality. Our days are not ours to maximize, but reminders of God who is over it all. This change in perception has the power to lift the clouds of resentment and fear off of my shoulders. With this mindset, I can see intentional rest, unplanned interruptions, personal setbacks, and unforeseen diagnoses not as delays, but as God’s goodness.
30 thoughts on "Rhythms of Remembrance"
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Slowing down is so important. I love that I have been forced to slow down and properly digest this book, I have learned so much. Again, can’t recommend Chuck Missler’s series on Leviticus (YouTube) to go alongside this reading plan. It has made me slow down even more.
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The concept of “our” time is also discussed in a book I read, I rarely see people talking about this but very thankful to come across it again in today’s devotional. When something unexpected happens, we tend to feel robbed of our time. But truly our time is not ours, God has the control on the numbered days of our lives (Job 14:5 NLT: You have decided the length of our lives. You know how many months we will live, and we are not given a minute longer). This reminds me of the futility of the work without God. It’s considered dead works, and dead weights we put on ourselves, which the devil disguised to put on us under a good purpose, but what can be good without God? Hence it’s all futile by the Bible’s standard like King Solomon has concluded after a lifelong of many accomplishments and wisdom. Futility contributes to wasting our precious time. If devil can deceive, he will deceive and rob us of anything. Lord, teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom (Psalm 90:12). Be blessed dear sisters.
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I’m a to do list girl. Sometimes it’s a hindrance rather than a help. For example I always mean to come back and comment later in the day but I get involved with my to do list and well you know the rest. It doesn’t happen. Today I vowed to do better. Dorothy May God bless you as you bless your sister. Also let her know that her identity is not wrapped up in the fact that she uses an oxygen tank. Before I had my hip replacement I didn’t want to use a cane because I thought I would be old. But the reality is I needed it. Rebecca I’m old enough to remember that only a handful of places were open on Sunday. Sharon Jersey Girl praying for you during this season of grief. Taylor praying for your anxiety and relationships. So many comments are so good. Thank you Shes for what you add to the discussion each day. Gramsiesue thanking God for the good report. I noticed that Angie and Erb have been absent for a while. Praying that all is well with them. I will be having surgery on my hand Monday(Dequervians) I’m praying for no complications and healing. Also I’m going through a total bathroom renovation. It’s not for the weak. Be blessed sisters♥️
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I love a good long to do list. I often feel anxious without one. I agree this book has a lot to do with gratitude. Above all the goodness of God is what is most important. I too need to remember my dependence on him.
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This devotion is what I needed right now in my life with all that is going on. I’m so overwhelmed at times but then I try to remember to turn it all over to the Lord and He will get me through. I’m helping my sister pack a house that’s been in the family since about the summer of 1970, plus packing certain items at my apartment to take with me.
Sisters be blessed and look to the Lord for ALL your needs.
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Beautifully written
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Angie Mills- thank you for your breakdown of the text. I appreciate it and look forward to seeing it everyday.
J Raven, I so relate to you: I like routines and find I can resent the thing/person who brings change to my perceived order. I am trying to work on this and not let my routines rule me, causing me to miss out on what God has for me.
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This devotional really helped me wake up to how I view my days. Our son is 10 months old and having a daily “schedule” really helps my anxiety, but boy oh boy when a nap is thrown off I still get anxious, BUT GOD. I know he is raising this child with me and I need not worry. Thank you for the reminder Claire that time belongs to HIM as does these precious soul he was kind enough to bless us with.
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