Moments

  There is an old saying to "not put the cart before the horse." Sounds simple and it is, but not easy to practice.  From my own experience I find that I can sometimes begin to feel like I am the horse and not the cart.  I am the one driving things, providing the power and direction and all forward motion, any real progress is dependent upon me and my own power, my own actions.   It is sort of like God is riding, like some visiting dignitary in my cart, and I just pull Him around and show Him my world.  But the truth of this relationship reveals itself when life's road gets rough. Then I want to go back to the cart and say "God, why don't you do something?  You are supposed to be all powerful."  After an initial entitled sounding, arrogant response to hardship, reality settles in like early morning fog.  And, when pain and torment has stripped the pride away and removed the blinders from my eyes, my heart my soul, then, and only then, ca...

Standing at the edge of the lake, waiting for the event to begin, I humbly ask your blessing that Your plans and purposes for my effort be lived out in me today, for Your Glory. May I fear not to enter the waters cold, or to climb the steep hills of the course. Help me to remember that I am "beautifully and wonderfully" made, and you have placed all I need within me. Give me courage to step out in faith: to try more, to risk more, to care more, to be more than I am now, that I may grow toward all you would have me be. And when I push beyond myself, when my steps grow weary toward despair, continue to carry me on, that I might finish this race with grateful humility. In Jesus' Name---Amen