It's Halloween, Lord!
It's time, Lord, to ponder the costumes we don
- the rest of the year -
when we outfit ourselves
as someone or something we're not
- or hide the persons we are...
Our costumes hang in our closets,
the day-to-day clothing we wear
to make ourselves more attractive,
to conceal or highlight the shape we're in,
to show that we're up to date with the times
or to distance ourselves from trends and fads... f
But you, Lord, you care little
about style, couture, color and cut,
designer label or off the rack,
old or new, hot - or not...
Instead, you look to our hearts, Lord,
and are pleased when you find them naked,
bare and exposed to your healing touch
that you might swaddle and clothe us
in your kindness, compassion and love...
St. Paul reminds us:
Clothe ourselves in heartfelt mercy
and put on garments of gentleness,
humility and patience...*
Strip me of all my pretense, Lord,
my desire to be who I am not:
and make me content to be and become
the person you've made and call me to be...
Clothe me in peace and outfit me, Lord,
for the work that's mine to do;
robe my heart in a garment of love
and garb me in grace and strength...
Protect me, Lord, while I'm awake
and watch over me while I sleep
that awake, I might keep watch with you
and asleep, rest in your peace...
Amen.
*Tonight's song draws its lyrics from Colossians 3:12-17
Because You Are Chosen by John Michael Talbot
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Because you are chosen
Called to be holy
Because you are the Lord’s beloved
You must clothe yourself with kindness
With heartfelt mercy
In the meekness of humility
So bear you now with one another
And forgive as the Lord’s forgiven you
Over all these virtues
Bind them all together
In the Love of our Lord Jesus
Over all these virtues
Bind them all together
In the Love of our Lord Jesus
Over all these virtues
Bind them all together
In the Love of our Lord Jesus
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