Monday, February 12, 2007

Today’s reading

1 John 1:5-7

“This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not live according to the truth; but if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of his Son cleanses us from all sin” (1 John 1:5-7).

Prayer

You are light. But my busy soul is stuck in darkness, refusing the loving fellowship you offer. Anxiety grips the heart amid commitments that appeared so reasonable when first made. We look at our meager store of time and resources and wonder: How is it possible to live and breathe deeply the sweet air of life when our bodies scramble to fulfill our promises?

Is this really life in your light? Is this mad scramble what you intend for us? Surely you desire that we find and surrender heart, mind and body to creative labor that reveals your eternal life and love for a world you so love.

But darkness often grips our souls, anxieties, fears, self-doubts, conflicts with self and others, doubts about your nearness and our worthiness. All this and more drags our hearts into the dark prison of self where there appears no way out beyond our feverish and futile labors. Our cramped souls find no room for one more person, one more need, one more request—or for you. The fullness of our days crowds out possibilities for fellowship with your divine light with those among whom you have placed us.

Still, You are the light of all, and our darkness cannot shut you out. The illumination of your light seeks out dusty corners of our souls. Our hunger for More reveals again that we are created for more than the mad rush. What is this desire if not the light or your presence calling us to the eternal life and love for which you intend us?

You are light, and all that is light, every experience and face that illumines our way, shines with your glory. Break into our crammed lives this day. Shine on us and in our midst. Draw us into the fellowship of beloved where the light of your love illumines our darkness and lifts us beyond our fears. Amen.

--Pastor David L. Miller