Devotions Archive

Archive: 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024
Search Archive

Be all that you can be

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Joel 2:12
Even now, says the Lord, return to me with your whole heart.

Matthew 6:1
Jesus said to his disciples, "Take care not to perform righteous deeds in order that people may see them."

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?

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



";
Add      Edit    Delete


About Us | About Counseling | Problems & Solutions | Devotions | Resources | Home

Christian Counseling Service
1108 N Lincoln Ave
Urbana IL 61801
217.377.2298
dave@christiancounselingservice.com


All photographs on this site Copyright © 2024 by David Sandel.