“You’re welcome”, he said, reminding me of my manners, I thanked him. I couldn’t remember a time when someone had come alongside me, considering my needs worthy of assistance.  Pausing briefly, I reflected on my unworthiness and realized how much time I’ve spent contemplating my inadequacy, forgetting to accept love in the process of criticism.  Foolish pursuits, there are very few of my undertakings that are not accompanied by a few idle incentives.  Giving all for Christ, seems unrealistic when compared to my attempts at piety.  Lord, you must have intended for me to arrive at this moment where I realize that I will never be able to commit myself to pure, holy and unselfish reason.  “Friendship with the world is enmity with God”.  How I have craved it, chased it, traded all, prostituted my standards, abandoned good character and relentlessly begged for such relations.  Yet, here I stand, a man who knows that the world will sacrifice me when it collectively seeks to rid humanity of this “dreaded” Christianity.  For they see me as His servant, and for that kinship I am overjoyed.

Why had he given me something that I did not deserve?  A symbol, a purchase, a reminder, leverage or as a tool to deliver me to a specific moment where action could be decidedly taken.  Look man, I want to be loved by other humans even when I know the grace, the incomparable joy and warmth that comes from the Love of God.  I would love to be honest, without hypocrisy, claiming that God is enough for me, yet my actions reveal another heart.  I have not walked away from this world, at best, I have found a happy compromise to allow me kinship without shared skin, but this is perhaps a greater mockery of God.  Father I want to open my fists, but I have been holding on so tightly for so long I have forgotten how to let go.  Show me the path to total dependence.  I know and believe your word is the only truth, let me, I pray know it by my relying action.

Father I do love them.  I know I cannot surround myself in a sheltered world, relating only to Christians, for the work and the dirt are both, “out there”.  Teach me to remain spotless, to shake loose the world’s dust and move quickly back to innocence.  Let us not become enthralled, envious or overly concerned about our measure in this world.  Give me proper understanding of my duty and my worth.  Father let my blessings all be notably, unmistakeably traceable from Your giving hand, so that none can mistake them as luck, chance or bounty of my own delivery.  Grace me to be a child totally of his Father’s making.  Take me from me and let me see that shining thing that is left when all my works have gone.

Lord Jesus,  I am no prophet, no judge, no great mind or predicting priest.  I know that You are coming soon because the fields are ripe for your harvest.  Just as any child knows the seasons arrival, I see the time is near.  Come soon let and let us “all” be found repentant, doing the work you have ordained should be done to prepare for Your arrival.  Praise God in Jesus’ Name, a blessing I shall never take for granted.

http://www.oneplace.com/ministries/insight-for-living/player/when-the-cesspool-overflows-part-3-425878.html  Chuck Swindoll