If I go into nature—particularly that untouched by the human hand—I see Your Beauty and am in Your Presence. Your creation reflects it. If I were to take time to sit patiently in it, to be fully absorbed, my heart would fill with awe and amazement. My heart would beat closer and more in sync with Yours.
That’s what You want—for my heart to be in sync with Yours. That’s why You made me in Your image. That’s why You want me to live in communion with You. That’s what You are doing in my life, transforming me slowly but surely.
Thank You for never giving up on me. I sometimes give up on me, but Your love is eternal, enduring, and faithful. You never give up.
This makes me think of others and my relationship and actions towards them. Like Your Creation, do I reflect Your Presence and Beauty? Do I give up on them?
Hmmm … I really need to think about that. How about yesterday, last week, last month … even last year? Being made in Your image, does Your light—Your goodness, Your forgiveness, Your generosity, Your grace, Your faithfulness—always shine through me?
How do I respond to those I don’t like, with whom I get angry or I don’t agree? How do I treat them? Do I share, am I inviting or do I reject them outright? Am I willing to sacrifice for them as You clearly did for me and continue to do?
My first instinct is to treat others badly if they treat me badly. But that’s not what You did while You were here on earth, or even now. No, Your grace surpasses my selfishness, bad behavior, and rebellion. In fact, instead You invite me in, offering forgiveness, peace and grace. You give me more than I deserve.
I should have that mindset and attitude of heart. When someone comes to me in need—whether they deserve it or not, whether they are a friend or a foe—I should reach out my hand to help, not to condemn, but to share and even to sacrifice. You’ve changed me that way.
I have a lot to think about this week, to pray about, to talk to You about.
Holy Spirit, keep me focused, keep me accountable. Keep these questions and contemplations prominently in my heart and on my mind. Give me awareness of my own behavior and interactions with others, especially with those with whom I will get angry at, annoyed, disagree with, or resent.
I’ll never be totally like Jesus, but that’s not the point. I can, as Your Prayer says, bring Your Will to be done on earth as it is in heaven. I can allow You to change me. I can let Your light shine through me. Please help me do this.
In the Awe Inspiring and Forgiving Name of Jesus I pray.
Amen.
