Monday, April 16, 2007

Today’s text

1 John 3:18-20

“Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action. And by this we will know that we are from the truth and will reassure our hearts before him whenever our hearts condemn us, for God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything.”

Prayer

The love we know and act is yours, All Searching One. You search deep into the crevices and unknown corners of souls to find places to fix fast and remain, there to work transformation of holy surprise.

We are the surprised, and the surprise is you. In blessed moments, we discover a compassion bubbling from source unseen, moving us to see and care beyond our normal vision and capacity. Our desire to be love and do compassion even among those who may care little for us surprises, so, too, our hunger to give and be given to that which transcends.

Our hearts spontaneously go out from us at the sight of particular need or beauty of soul, moving us beyond the narrow confines of self, blessing and surprising, revealing again that despite ourselves we bear a mystery deep in our flesh--You.

And you are our reassurance. For there are many times are hearts accuse for sin and failure, ancient and new. Old deeds may lie forgotten by those we injured yet castigate our consciences, sucking our strength, preoccupying waking hours and waking us from sleep with wrongs done and opportunities missed.

We have no defense but you, your love and truth that abides in the crevices and far corners of our souls, bubbling there, revealing that you are pleased to dwell even in us. Bearing your life, I order the accusing voices with your voice: “Sin be gone. My failure is forgiven. I bear a love larger than the wounds and weakness of my heart, more powerful than you, accusing voices. That Greater One abides here in me to close your mouth and drive you out.”

Thanks be to God. Amen.

Pr. David L. Miller