For a while, I've been feeling like there has been something missing from my faith; something sending me a little off-course.
Kind of like I am one ingredient short of a full recipe.
It took some time, but I realized the missing element is worshiping God simply for who He is, not for what He can do for me. I need to slow down and speak to Him words of adoration, dwell in His presence, give Him praise without requests. I need to love Him first and best so that He can love others well through me.
In this season I have simplified my prayers to God, drawing near to the heart of who He is so that He will draw near to me as He promised. I can recite more Scripture from memory than I thought, and recently I was speaking one of my favorite passages out loud to myself in the car and taking comfort from it -
"Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior and my hope is in you all day long." Psalm 25:4-5
These verses don't ask for anything except to be closer to God. They are not saying, "God, make my life better with the things I think I need. Please fix this person. Please resolve this situation. Please...please...please....."
Instead, it's "Show me your ways, teach me your paths..."
Guide me.
Teach me.
And my hope will be in you all day long.
As I learn to love Him more completely, may His love be made complete in me, spilling out freely to those whose lives I interact with.
My life verse has been Psalm 86:11... a verse very similar to the one you quoted: "Teach me Your way, O Lord; I will walk in Your truth; Unite my heart to fear Your name."
ReplyDeleteA beautiful life verse- thanks for sharing that!
DeleteLove this simple message, Beth!
ReplyDeleteChris- thanks so much, and thank you for reading. It's best when we keep faith simple, isn't it?? :)
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