COFFEE ON THE DOCK

I begin this day in thankfulness for those who have helped shape my life. Biblical characters, historic figures, family, friends, spiritual fathers and mothers, authors, actors, teachers and strangers have been used by the Master Craftsman to form me. Even those intent on my harm such as detractors, accusers, betrayers and openly antagonistic enemies have played an important part in my formation. Lord, I thank You for each and every one You have employed to forge me into a man of character, love and faith. May I also be a quality tool in Your hand, useful for shaping others. 

A new day is dawning. Will I turn the page or will I try to rehash the disappointments of yesterday or its predecessors? The challenges and opportunities of today await me; there is little value in dreaming about what could have been. This new day is another undeserved gift from the Ancient of Days and I must seize it with renewed gusto. I do not want to disregard its value by dwelling on the past nor waste time in anxiety about the future. Thank You My Creator and Redeemer for today. You made it, You rule it, now I will rejoice and be glad in it. My heart is attuned to Your Voice. Today.

The high price of gasoline is a strong motivation to try to arrive with the tank as empty as possible to a station with low prices, especially on a long road trip. In the same manner I have already determined the condition in which I want to arrive to the end of my life on earth, I want to die empty; I do not want God-given potential to be unspent, left to be discarded in the cemetery. With the world around me in such spiritual poverty, I cannot imagine retreating or retiring from the battlefield. Eternal God, may I be faithful to fully expend Your generous gift of divinely bestowed potential. 

Too often I have conceived scenarios in my mind that seemed good enough to be pleasing to God, only to discover that He was not at all impressed. The simple truth is no human wisdom or plan is sufficient for the Almighty; our cleverness is no substitute for God’s wisdom. Because of His great love, He will not commit His blessing to something harmful or foolish. On the other hand He patiently works with my insufficiencies and by His grace great things are accomplished. Gracious Father, I am amazed by Your goodness and mercy. You turn my weakness into strength, my messes into miracles.

We install security alarms in our cars, homes and businesses. We build fences, security checkpoints, hire gate guards and police to secure our lives. However, the most dangerous instrument of harm and dissention is my tongue. Guarding my lips guards my life since “life and death proceed from our mouths”. There is no lip alarm, safety begins in the heart out of which the mouth speaks. When I permit worldliness to run free in my heart it will be soon betray my good intentions. The heart is a battleground, not a playground. Lord, You have my heart and lips; purify both through and through. 

There truly is a perfect time and way for everything. I am impetuous by nature and in haste have often moved too quickly. It is much better to let things unfold before rushing ahead. A furled sail is of little use. We sometimes confuse faith-based zeal and emotion-based zeal. But what blessing it is when zealousness and knowledge combine within the divinely appointed moment. Lord of all Wisdom, thank You for guiding my zeal. I am zealous for Your work in the earth but desperately need Your steadying hand. Grant me submissive, composed, Holy Spirit guided zealousness. 

As I have grown older I have become increasingly aware of how little actual control I have over surrounding circumstances. While a little unnerving this is actually good; I do not warrant unmitigated control of my life. My record is littered with the debris of failures where I attempted to be my own final authority. So instead I turn to the Master of the Universe. He made me, kept me and owns me. Glorious Lord, I am at peace with surrender to Your control. Grant me divine purging today that I may more easily yield to Your primacy. You have purchased my life with the highest prices and I am is Yours alone.