A Concord Pastor Comments: Monday Morning Offering: 6/12

Image: George Mendoza

The way of the fool seems right in his own eyes,
   but he who listens to advice is wise...
- Proverbs 12

Good morning, good God!

O Lord, you see everything I do
   and everything I fail to do
and yet you pardon and forgive me
   and call me your own...

Trusting in your mercy, then,
   I dare to sit with you in prayer and ask,
      "When today, Lord, will I play the fool?"

When, today, will I turn from your good counsel
   and do what I deem right by my own lights?

When, today, will I ignore your word
   and follow some advice I give myself?

When, today, will I fail to seek and heed
   the wisdom you offer to guide my thoughts
      and my words and my deeds today?

It only takes a moment
   for me to step from your path and walk, instead,
      the way that seems so right to me...

It takes but an instant
   to tune out your voice whispering within me,
      telling me what's wise, what's true, what's just...

It takes but a second
   to forget what I know to be right
      and choose instead what pleases me
         and what will ease my day...

What a dunce am I to have in my heart
   your counsel, truth and advice,
your Spirit to guide me:
to have all this - yet play the fool -
   and walk a path that leads to pain and trouble;
to have in my mind the wisdom of ages
   and yet to make the foolish choice,
knowing well how one day's folly
   quickly becomes a pattern, then my path
      - and finally, my regret...

So in the shade of your mercy, Lord,
   I'm bold to ask, "When today will I play the fool?"

Help me remember how wise you are
   and how foolish I can be;
don't let me ignore your counsel today
   as I make choices and decisions...

Help me see my foolish ways
   help me hear my foolish words
      and keep me from my foolish deeds:
give me insight, Lord, and strength
   and the will to live by wisdom's light...

You know so well how foolish I can be
   and so I ask your pardon
and pray you'll open up my mind and heart
   to seeds of wisdom planted by your Spirit
      deep within my soul each day...

Refresh my memory, Lord,
   of what I've learned from your word
and know of your truth...

Refresh my memory, Lord,
   of what my mistakes have told me,
   and my past has taught me...

Remind me, Lord,
   of how my deepest peace has always come
from following where you lead,
   wherever your path may take me...

Let me see with your eyes, Lord, let me hear in my heart,
   what you would have me do
and help me find the peace that comes
   from living by your wisdom, word and will...

I offer my desire to let go my foolishness
   and to live in your truth and wisdom...

Such is my prayer this Monday morning, Lord:
   help me trust that you forgive my foolish heart
      and give me wisdom, deep and strong,
         to light the path I walk this week...

Amen.