Prayer:
Merciful God, look patiently on me, bear with me, hang in there with me. For lots of reasons, particularly those involving my ego, I have harmed many, I have shamed myself, I missed the many treasures you have given. Help me to return to you, even though I know you have never let my side. Amen.
Bible Reading:
Romans 8:28-39
Silence:
One to two minutes
Reflection:
From my birth I have been encouraged to work hard, take the initiative, buckle down, challenge myself, pull myself up. I would never want any of that to be retracted – I am grateful for the “ethic” that it has created in my life. One of the problems with such an ethic, however, is that I live with an abundance of guilt, short falls, burdens of failure. Another related problem is that it can lead to a sense of self-determination, a notion that whatever is valuable in my life is achievable with just a bit more effort. There have been more human spirits ground into despair over such development. However, there is a profound peace that comes to the heart when you realize that despite all our greatest efforts and greatest failures nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus – not anything
Action – Repentance and Creation:
Think on the freedom you have when you realize that nothing can separate you from the love of God – not anything you do, good and ill; not anything anyone else does; not what the world can do, by intent or by accident. Now act it out!