O Loving God, as I strive to create a “perfect life” for myself, I often leave You out because I have so much to do. I strive to build a refuge free from troubles and woe. I feather my nest with comforts that make my “perfect life” cozy and comfortable. I collect “things” because they bring back memories or they are “things” I covet. I accumulate them because that’s what society tells me is “fashionable” or “in”. All the time I’m thinking what I’m doing is right. However, experience has taught me that I have left out the most important “thing” from my life … a relationship with You. What I can see clearly now is that without You in my “perfect life” it is not perfect. Instead of light, I stumble in the dark. I have no moral compass by which to chart a direction for my life. Without Your light, the path forward is unclear and, without Your compass to guide me, I am constantly finding myself coming to dead ends.
I never intended to exclude You from my life. For even though I’ve tried to create a “perfect life” for myself, I know I can never have one without the “Perfect One” at its center. As I’ve struggled with problems on my own, I’ve found that including You in them enables me to restore peace and order to my life. Whenever I dare to think I can make it alone, circumstances convince me that I am wrong. When I place my hope in others, they eventually fail me and I return to the One I know will stand by me … You!! When grief and sorrow drag me down, You’ve shown me that the most comfort and compassion I can find comes through reaching out to You through the Holy Spirit. I get defensive when others tell me that I’m trying to do too much on my own. However, when I cooperate with You, it makes even the most challenging struggle that I face seem easy.
It seems strange that, although I know You are an all-powerful and all-knowing God, I would still take out on my own to deal with issues in my life. After all, You’ve promised to supply all of my needs … to never leave or forsake me … to never allow me to be tested beyond what I can stand … plus, you’ve left me Your peace to help weather any storm that invades my space. By trying out for the role of the “Lone Ranger”, I am left without hope, answers or a pathway to the future. I have come to realize that I need You and I’m nothing without You. Whenever I insist on doing “things” my way, or I take a shortcut to an outcome I desire, I see that I’ve excluded something important from my actions … You!! You are the ingredient that adds fulfillment and joy to life. Forgive me for my neglect and help me keep You at the forefront of my mind so that You are in everything I say or do. And it’s in Jesus’ name I pray. AMEN!!
Psalm 36:8 How precious is Your love, O God! I take refuge in the shadow of Your wings.