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Be all that you can beWednesday, February 17, 2010
Joel 2:12 But this is not a simple matter of doing right. Hardly, Jesus says. Don't show each other your righteousness, and in fact I don't really want to see it either. Show me your humility instead, and don't just pretend but find your way into the real thing. I will help you, He tells me. Just let me help you. What, Lord, does it mean to return to you with my whole heart? I feel divided into a thousand parts by my appetites and my habits, my desires and my fears. The moment I notice myself, I hold onto something that belongs to you. Would that I could just rise into the sky like a tulip opening to the sun, without thought or reservation, with all my heart blooming red, petals warm and soft, made and known by You. You made me a human Being, Lord. My "doing" gets in the way of that, and I quickly become confused by what you want from me. Even now, Lord, thank you for not giving up on me while I learn to be loved by you. I've been out of step with you for a long time, Lord, in the wrong since before I was born. What you're after is truth from the inside out. Enter me, then, conceive a new, true life: going through the motions doesn't please you; a flawless performance is nothing to you. I learned to worship you, Lord, when my pride was shattered. Heart-shattered lives ready for love never for a moment escape your notice. Thank you, Lord. --- Psalm 51, The Message |
Even now? Now that I have broken rules of Christian living so often? Now that I have chosen to turn toward others and away from you, time after time after time? I read Romans 1 and notice that envy and gossip seem to trump the more obvious sins that I have not committed. Hopeless I suddenly feel … and then you tell me: even now?