Teach us, good Lord, to serve Thee as Thou deserves; to give and not to count the cost; to fight and not to heed the wounds; to toil and not to seek for rest; to labour and not to ask for any reward save that of knowing that we do Thy will.
Amen.
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Thu, 17 Nov 2005
Nov 17, 2005, 14:42
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Keeping Up Appearances
One of my favorite television shows is the British comedy Keeping Up Appearances. The story line is always a variation on this theme: middle-aged, middle-class Hyacinth is obsessed with trying to impress her neighbors with her exquisite taste and aristocratic manners. The results, of course, are ludicrous. Hyacinth wants class, and she doesn’t even have style.
As Christians, “keeping up appearances” can sometimes become the beginning and end of our spiritual lives. We want others to think well of us, considering us the cream of the religious crop. But when that becomes our goal, we become like the Pharisees Jesus confronted in his ministry. We continually have one eye in the mirror to see what kind of impression we’re making. We act as if others exist just to be dazzled by us and to spread our reputations throughout our community.
Jesus reminds us that greatness in his kingdom is not about people standing in awe of us. It’s about seeking to be servants even to the least desirable people in society. After Jesus washed his disciples’ feet, he said that serving others should be the pattern for their own lives.
Lord, give us eyes to see people who need care in your name. In service to our neighbour, may we render service to you. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
(Dr. Robert Heerspink, TODAY, the Family Altar, May 2005)
· Harold: Maude, do you pray? Maude: Pray? No, I communicate. (text from the 1971 movie, Harold and Maude)
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Tue, 15 Nov 2005
Nov 15, 2005, 16:28
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Christ Call to Mercy
Will you come and follow me if I but call your name?
Will you go where you don’t know and never be the same?
Will you let my love be shown, will you let my name be known,
Will you let my life be grown in you and you in me?
Will you leave yourself behind if I but call your name?
Will you care for cruel and kind and never be the same?
Will you risk the hostile star should your life attract or scare?
Will you let me answer prayer in you and you in me?
Will you let the blinded see if I but call your name?
Will you set the prisoners free and never be the same?
Will you kiss the leper clean, and do such as this unseen,
And admit to what I mean in you and you in me?
Will you love the “you” you hide if I but call your name?
Will you quell the fear inside and never be the same?
Will you use the faith you’ve found to reshape the world around,
Through my sight and touch and sound in you and you in me?
Christ, your summons echoes true when you but call my name,
Let me turn and follow you and never be the same.
In your company I’ll go where your love and footsteps show,
Thus I’ll move and live and grow in you and you in me.
(The Iona Community)
· We have really learned how to pray when we realize that prayer is a privilege rather than a duty. (Anon)
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