Just Try Harder - NOT!

Monday Missive #47

A Poem: Trying

In trying to become,
All we desire,
All we aspire,
To see,
To be;
We climb a mountain,
Of hope,
Of courage,
Of love,
Of happiness;
Only to roll back
Through ditches 
Of dirt and grime.
Determined,
We try again,
And fall back
Again and again.

The issue is the trying.
Trying to become
Our best selves;
Trying to
Brush over flaws,
Cover up foibles,
Hide defects.
We only fool ourselves,
Digging deeper,
Grabbing the grit
Of power of will,
We push on toward
An unreachable mark;
Not realizing,
Not comprehending,
Not recognizing
The path is not in trying.
It is in relying,
In resting,
In rejoicing
 in depending
On resurrection power
Of our Creator.

A Prayer: Pleasing God

Lord, I want to
Please you with every
Thought,
Every word,
Every action.
But that is impossible!
I cannot reach that high,
I cannot live holy as you ask,
I cannot live in righteous obedience.
Unless...
I submit
Each moment to
Your presence,
Your purpose,
Your power.
Even in that,
I need your help.
Conform me today, Jesus,
Into your image.

A Passage: For Reflection This Week

 I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God's power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God's right hand in the heavenly realms. - Ephesians 1:19-20 NLT