Hello Father. It’s so cool that I can approach You so easily and without pretense or formality. You’re that close to me and that merciful. You’re also Holy and Perfect. Your humility and grace astound. I don’t fully understand how You can be so Beautiful this way.
When I look around this world, I don’t see holiness, yet I see lots of judgments—lots of expectations of people being a certain way, believing a certain thing, and doing things in a particular way. Funny thing is, is that those certain ways and things are different depending upon the person making the judgment.
Huh, all the more reason to know the Truth—You are God, King and Savior. You are the starting point and ending place of all things (the Alpha and Omega); and Your Word and Way are the models for my life.
You are merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. You are eager to forgive and embrace me.
I’m not so sure that I am that way with others. I should probably meditate on that a bit—reflect on my thoughts, feelings and actions of the past week, and honestly assess whether they’re in line with You.
Was I slow to get angry? Did I show unconditional love for all who I encountered? Was I merciful to the one who didn’t deserve it? Did I show compassion to the needy, the unwanted, the unworthy and the ungrateful? Hmmm, that’s convicting.
Holy Spirit, I need help here. Open my eyes so that I may see and be aware of my thoughts, feelings and actions towards others—in all domains of my life. Fill my heart with compassion and unconditional love—even for those who I don’t like or agree with, more than I’ve ever experienced before. Convict me when I get angry too easily, and remind me of my own behavior that may anger others. And when an opportunity to show mercy presents itself, make my heart swell with love, kindness and a desire to be merciful, not judgmental or expectant.
You are The Lord of my life. Help me, Holy Spirit, to live into that truth.
In the Beautiful Name of Jesus I pray.
Amen.
