Father, I am amazed… Seven-plus years ago, I sat down for the very first time and what had not been, was. Yes, I had known You for many years. I had claimed You as my own. I had vowed dedicated service to You. But as time passed, the wonder of it all had passed as well. Then there was renewal! There was a revitalization of spirit and wonder! And we were together in a way that I had never experienced before.

Over these past seven years, I must admit that the wonder has waned somewhat. It is not as overwhelmingly glorious as it had been in those early years. You were consistent. You never changed. You never wandered from me. The problem was me… I was inconsistent. My spiritual and mental focus ebbed and flowed. I got distracted…I allowed myself to get distracted. And with distraction came wandering…not too far, as to separate myself from You. But far enough that I was just out of earshot – though if I had tried, I could have clearly heard You no matter where I was. I let go of Your hand. If I had truly kept my gaze fixed on Your face, I would not have done those things. But the glitter…the false glitter of the world lured me; it relentlessly called out to me.

Of course, You never stopped calling out to me. Your extended hands did not cease reaching out to bring me once more close to Your side. But I was the one to brush You away. I did not sever ties with You – I knew enough to do that much. But the invigorating richness of our times together were much fewer and farther between. But You didn’t give up. Your love was relentless.

But as of late, the staleness of the world’s offerings has no longer been able to stand against the reality of Your greatness…You power…and over and above all, Your love. There’s no love of worldly origins… I truly believe that whatever genuine love is in the world is connected to You, whether we realize it or not. It is not You that gets old. It is the world that gets old.

The world’s promises are empty. Your promises come to fruition without error. For me, the lure of the world has been quelled. Lord Jesus, I stand in Your strength and power alone. I cannot go this way alone. My hand in Yours is the only way to victory. My eyes constantly fixated upon Your face, gives me the power to fight…to stand. Fill me. Use me. I yield myself to the guidance of Your wisdom and staying with You, I cannot fail!

Oct 13th, 2022, Thurs, 6:08 pm