“What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?” (1 Corinthians 4:7)

Come on in, Lord. You are welcome in this room where I easily and often usher in others. Would you make yourself at home? After all, this is your home. And If somehow my visit with you is cut short, I will look for you to give me another window of time alone with you today.

I invite you to be in control, to wrap your arms around all the details facing me in the hours ahead. To guide my heart and mind to accomplish your will and not mine.

But first praise. Before I beg for help, or lay out the needs of those I love, I lift you up and bless your good name. I know you to be my faithful Father and loving Brother, merciful High Priest, Shepherd of my soul, Forgiver of my sins, and Supplier of mercy in limitless amounts.  

The verse you lead me to is a prompt to practice humility. You remind me again that everything I am ever allowed to do – serve my family, disciple another believer, encourage a weary soul, or plant one foot in front of the other, every single opportunity is a gift from you. A voice to speak truth, a hand to write down insights, a heart to love unconditionally, a mind to consider your ways – are you not the source of every one?

Forgive me for the times I foolishly believe that serving you comes with a guarantee of comfort or protection from hardship for those I love. Would you give grace to them to endure the struggle, to persevere when walls block their way, to pick themselves up and try again, to remember you never called us to succeed but only to be faithful and press on.

May they be mindful of their absolute dependence on you, how desperately they need you. May they be attentive to your voice in their day, your hand on their shoulder, your ear bent close to listen. Remind them once more that you always bring good from what might not seem good and that apart from you, nothing is really good at all.

Even in the middle of the night, would you counsel them and give them your wisdom that you have stored in abundance. Would you offer them instructions and guidance for their choices great and small so each life will bring you pleasure and joy.

Have them “set the LORD always before” (Psalm 16:8) them so though shaky situations arise, they come out on the other end stronger and more faithful to you. When weakness is their prevailing malady, would you draw them to wait patiently on you to “renew their strength” so they “mount up with wings like eagles” (Isaiah 40:31) and soar.

“I say to the LORD, ‘You are my Lord. I have no good apart from you…You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore” (Psalm 16:2, 11).

Elizabeth A Mitchell

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