Approaching God
As you seek to unite with the Triune God, stilling your heart, your mind and your soul to hear God’s voice, reflect on these words concerning the posture and spirit of Jesus:
“Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant.” (Philippians 2:6-7a)
Listening to God
The Lord God Almighty, the one true God who owns all power and strength, comes to us with humility. He shares His true power in the ultimate act of sacrifice at the cross. God tells us to share in that spirit of humility and submission. Breathe in the words of Jesus to His disciples:
“Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave.” (Matthew 20:26)
Talking to God
In response to Jesus’ example of submission, humility and love, what words of praise and thanksgiving will you give to Him? Is there anything you need to confess? What stands in the way of your own attitude of submission and posture of humility before God?
Responding to God
In following Christ, God calls us to let go of our desires for greatness and to be noticed and to embrace a life dedicated to loving God and neighbor with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. Who is God calling you to love today? Where does an attitude of submission to following God lead you today?
Surrendering to God
In humble submission to God, surrender your spirit as you share in this prayer of St. Francis:
Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope:
Where there is darkness, light;
Where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
To be understood as to understand;
To be loved as to love;
For it is in giving that we receive;
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
It is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
By Laurie Zuverink
A HISTORICAL SIDEBAR
Huldrych Zwingli wrote this prayer/poem while the Black Death broke out in Zurich in 1519:
Help me, O Lord, My strength and rock; Lo, at the door I hear death’s knock
Uplift shine arm, Once pierced for me, That conquered death. And set me free.
Yet, if thy voice, In life’s midday. Recalls my soul, Then I obey.
In faith and hope, Earth I resign. Secure of heaven. For I am Thine.
Lo! Satan strains To snatch his prey; I feel his grasp; Must I give way?
He harms me not, I fear no loss, For here I lie Beneath thy cross.
My God! My Lord! Healed by the hand. Upon the earth Once more I stand.
Let sin no more Rule over me; My mouth shall sing Alone to thee.
Though now delayed, My hour will come. Involved, perchance. In deeper gloom.
But, let it come; With joy I’ll rise, And bear my yoke Straight to the skies.
