Forgive My Foolish Ways

Mark 1:16-20 (The Message).
Passing along the beach of Lake Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew net-fishing. Fishing was their regular work.  Jesus said to them, “Come with me. I’ll make a new kind of fisherman out of you. I’ll show you how to catch men and women instead of perch and bass.”  They didn’t ask questions. They dropped their nets and followed.  A dozen yards or so down the beach, he saw the brothers James and John, Zebedee’s sons. They were in the boat, mending their fishnets.  Right off, he made the same offer. Immediately, they left their father Zebedee, the boat, and the hired hands, and followed.

1 Peter 2:9 (The Message).
But you are the ones chosen by God, chosen for the high calling of priestly work, chosen to be a holy people, God’s instruments to do his work and speak out for him, to tell others of the night-and-day difference he made for you.


I'm finding it somewhat amusing (if that's the right term) when I get things stuck in my head, and verses, songs and quotes become a recurring theme.

I have struggled with my perception of leadership last year and I am finding myself slipping back into this bad habit again this year (and it's only January).

These frustrations, apart from causing me heart burn, are negatively impacting my walk with God.  This journey has been hard enough without letting my perception and judgmental thoughts get in the way.

I don't believe I've got it all together when it comes to leadership - I certainly had my fair share of issues over the years, but the "theme" - In tune with Thy divinity (again a music reference) has played over and over again, both in good times and in bad.

I am conscious that these frustrations are doing me more harm than good, and probably not helping others too, as I rant and blow off steam.

Song 567 (SASB) is my prayer as I ask for forgiveness....

1.
Dear Lord and Father of mankind,
Forgive our (my) foolish ways;
Reclothe us (me) in our (my) rightful mind;
In purer lives thy service find,
In deeper reverence, praise.

2.
In simple trust like theirs who heard,
Beside the Syrian sea,
The gracious calling of the Lord,
Let us, like them, without a word
Rise up and follow thee.

3.
O Sabbath rest by Galilee!
O calm of hills above,
Where Jesus knelt to share with thee
The silence of eternity,
Interpreted by love!

4.
Drop thy still dews of quietness
Till all our strivings cease;
Take from our souls the strain and stress,
And let our ordered lives confess
The beauty of thy peace.

5.
Breathe through the heats of our desire
Thy coolness and thy balm;
Let sense be dumb, let flesh retire;
Speak through the earthquake, wind and fire,
O still small voice of calm!
John Greenleaf Whittier (1807-92)


Lord, help me be an instrument of peace.  Help me act in a way that others may see you in me.  Continue to work your way into my life that I may stay "in tune" with you, and that your glory will be seen through me.
Amen.