Most Patient and Persevering Lord, I am a simple man who readily admits that I do not know what You know, nor the things that You conceive, nor what is Your intent for my life. My thoughts cannot begin to compare with Yours because mine usually waver and become scattered. If the things I face on earth seem difficult for me to deal with and hard to comprehend … then how much harder are the things of Heaven for me to understand because they are filled with many mysteries. As I gain insights into the things You know, humble myself and listen to what You have to share with me, I know I will be transformed into Your likeness. For it is You who make my paths straight and teaches me the ways of righteous living. I realize that my time to learn from You is limited and I must mature quickly … not living for the moment … but living with my focus on Heavenly goals.
It is hard for me to conceive how and why You think and plan the way You do. Your knowledge and wisdom far exceeds mine. I realize that it is my choices that move me away from You and create barriers between us … while You, on the other hand, strive to uphold Your part in our relationship. I need to stop endeavoring to put you into a mold where Your plans and purposes conform to mine. Instead, I must conform my thinking to Yours and accept Your plans as my own. When I start to live in conformity with Your will, I’ll be able to accomplish things that I never thought were possible. As I submit my will to Yours, only then, will the purposes you envisioned for my life be able to be fulfilled. As I am drawn to Your heart, peace overcomes me and joy fills my whole being. For I am but a simple man with many limitations, but I can produce much fruit with You directing my life.
I know that You have asked me “to take up my cross and follow You.” That requires me to devote my life to living the way You did and possess a willingness to do good for others in Your name. It calls me to abandon all my misguided priorities and the desires of my flesh in order to take on Your character, morals, goals and purposes. Carrying a cross requires heavy lifting and the expending of a lot of energy. It requires an internal fortitude that can only come from You. Having been there Yourself, You understand that the work is laborious but doable with help. To be successful requires that I make a decision and commitment to doing things Your way. If I am willing and obedient, I will receive Your best … but, if I resist and rebel, my difficulties will consume me. O Loving Lord, I am a simple man but with You by my side I can become all You want me to be. And it’s in Jesus’ name I pray. AMEN!!
Psalm 25:4-5 Show me Your ways, O Lord, teach me Your paths, guide me in Your truth and teach me; for You are my God, My Savior, and my hope is in You all day long.