COFFEE ON THE DOCK

Extension of the Kingdom of God in me and through me to others must not be an afterthought; spiritual progress cannot be accomplished with life’s leftovers. In the absence of frontsliding there is only backsliding. Scripture proclaims: “the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it.” Every day matters, and how intentionally I approach it will affect its outcome. Lord, help me lay hold of that which You have proclaimed. Rattle my cage until at last I run to You first and always. Provoke me to advance each and every day. 

Purpose, opportunities, spiritual enablements and natural abilities are all God’s gifts to each of us. Unless practiced in genuine love for God and the people He loves, the exercise of these heavenly endowments can degrade into prideful showmanship, judgmental arrogance or disorderly conduct. How easily I slip into pride, so I must carefully practice these with the humility they require. Dearest Lord, forgive my misuse of bestowed giftings. Deliver me from the need to claim ownership of the right to exercise them and help me practice them with kindness and humility. 

Why am I always surprised when the moon is full? The lunar cycle is absolutely predictable, but there I am awestruck each time, its glow filling both sky and earth with transfixing beauty. The moon is merely a huge ball of dusty rock reflecting resplendent light from the sun. Though during its constant orbit around earth the world shadows this heavenly provision of luminous nighttime radiance, at times it appears in full splendor. Sounds strangely familiar. Thank You God of Wonders for Your shining Your brilliant light upon me, transforming a creature formed from dust into light in a dark world. May the Son shine bright upon me. 

Hope is like the first gleam of dawn, shining ever brighter till the full light of day appears. The kind of hope of which I speak is not rooted in this world. This hope is voiced by way of promises from above and is firmly grounded where translucent gold is pavement, the Son illuminates the city and background music is angelic chorus. God promises, hope springs alive, faith is awakened and everything changes. Circumstances are no match for heaven breathed, hope generated faith. Father of Sovereign Hope, You are the only source of eternal hope, teach me to abide in Your words and put them to practice. 

The heart that understands the unmerited grace God offers will not fall victim to a superiority complex toward others. If we are still under the delusion that we are blessed because of our moral rectitude or exceptional knowledge, then prideful judgmentalism is assured. Religious arrogance paralyzes spiritual progress and sets us up for a fall. I like to think I left all sanctimonious tendencies far behind, but they still pop up like burned toast. Lord, have mercy on my earthly ways and make me more like You. May my pursuit of piety never produce a holier-than-thou response to others. 

The daily struggle for the God-seeker is the dueling impulses of the heart. On the one hand I sincerely want only His will, but on the other, I am still too attached to my own. When I lift my hands to the Immortal One, in one is a bowl of thanksgiving and in the other a cup of sin. He could choose only my praise, but instead He accepts both, relieving my weary soul of its painful conflict. How wonderful a thought that when I see Him face to face my earthly striving will cease. Heavenly Father, You are Perfect and Holy, yet You do not turn away in disgust, but receive our polluted offerings and pour Your goodness back upon us. Glorious God, Redeeming Lord, You alone are worthy of all praise.