A reflection on Scripture through a letter and a prayer.
Dear Lord Jesus,
I do not want to love the world or the things in the world,
for I know your love is not in those who love the world. Yet, I can't help but love your people and
this beautiful creation that you have made as a reflection of your imagination
and glorious splendor. I enjoy your
food, the pleasures you have given us, and the pleasures that we have made with
the tools of intelligence and invention that you have furnished.
Perhaps though we move to quickly to what is thought of as
the "world." That which is the
"world" as seen by John is those things that the flesh desires, the
desires of the eyes, and the pride in riches.
I am humbled beyond reckoning at this use of "worldly." I have to ask myself, am I proud of the
things I buy? Am I greedy? At first I compare myself to the society
around me and I say, "Well, I'm not that bad." Yet, my "to buy list" always seems
to have something on it, always leaves me with one more thing that is a
"necessity."
I think I am proud of these things, or why would I buy
them? Not only this, but I am a glutton who eats far more
than necessary - I look with my eyes and the desire of the flesh and consume
until there is nothing left. I use
"my time" poorly, for most of my time is focused on things that have
no value at all - things that will perish just as readily as stuff that I
regularly throw away.
Lord, I find myself caught in an endless cycle.
May your grace consume me and make me new, may your love drive me to
change, may your love be focused on doing your will. Teach me as you would a child, be patient
with my unhearing ears, my greedy eyes, and my unmoving feet. Lord, craft me and mold me into your
reflection, that I may look like Jesus.
Love,
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