One: You call us to follow, not just your footsteps
but your way of life and your way of thinking.
All: Yet when you ask us what we are talking about amongst ourselves, we fall silent.
One: The things that occupy our thoughts
are not the things that occupy yours.
All: We are full of concern about:
Money. Perfect family. Power.
Body type. Privilege. Big Names.
Good grades. Friends. Nice car.
Winning teams. Good job. Big house.
Recognition. Followers. Fame.
Vacation. Honor.
One: You are full of concern about
grace, love, justice, peace, hope, transformation.
About feeding the hungry, offering rest to the weary,
and ending oppression.
Your life and work seem so opposite
to the way the world works.
All: Your thoughts and ways are not our thoughts and ways, O God.
One: And so we remain silent, or worse, we rationalize our way.
All: Help us, Lord, to turn toward your way,
to fill our minds with your thoughts,
to fill our hearts with your love,
to fill our footsteps with your will.
Guide us as we seek your vision of success,
though it will mean letting go of our own.
We pray in the name of the One who turned success upside down.
Amen.
Submitted by Rev. Teri Peterson, Ridgefield Crystal Lake Presbyterian Church, Crystal Lake IL.
Leave a Reply