Episode 59: 1 John 2:15-17
Transcription
Before we pray today, I want to remind you about my book: Yes, Father: A Daughter’s Journey to Forgiveness. I’d love to read a review someone left for the book that encompasses so much of what I hope for everyone who reads it.
This book shares what it truly is to love, even when you have to dig deep. The author’s journey through childhood memories emphasize how complicated a family truly can be, the different ties we make, and the way we can grow despite it all. I really enjoyed how she moved chronologically back and forth through her life, glimpses telling a much larger picture. In her growth she moves, too, from sibling squabbles to lasting relationships, from heartbreak to a deep reflection on what it is to love someone who may not love you back. There is also self-love and growth in her faith as she takes the harder path of caretaker. It’s a beautiful look on a life.
As someone who has been a caretaker, this was spot-on in how difficult things can be; anyone who has been a caretaker will find a friend in these pages, someone else who knows what it is to give and give even when the well seems dry. As someone who’s wrestled with faith, I found a friend here, too, as even those who stand firm in their faith must ask questions when the going gets hard.
I enjoyed this book and highly recommend it to everyone, no matter what path of life you’re on. We’re all on a journey; sometimes it’s a good reminder that others are, too.
That really blessed me. Thank you to whoever wrote that.
You can pick up your copy today by going to my website www.ja-sellers.com
Now on to the prayer!
Today’s verse is 1 John 2:15-17
Don’t love the world’s ways. Don’t love the world’s goods. Love of the world squeezes out love for the Father. Practically everything that goes on in the world—wanting your own way, wanting everything for yourself, wanting to appear important—has nothing to do with the Father. It just isolates you from Him. The world and all its wanting, wanting, wanting is on the way out—but whoever does what God wants is set for eternity.
Let’s pray together.
Father, today I come in the spirit of confession. You know my heart better than anyone, and You know how little I show You the love You deserve. I get so easily distracted by the shiny ways of this world. I want what I believe will make me happy. I want to escape into the pleasures of the world that You designed, esteeming them better than their Creator and ultimate source. You know how obsessive I can be, celebrating the shallow and the momentarily delightful. You know that it’s so much easier for me to love and spend time with the things that I can touch and see and hear and understand. I am sorry for this. I ask that You help me do better.
Teach me that when I reach out for the things of this world, I am cheating myself of the best there is. Show me how valuable Your love and time are. Show me the wonders of Your presence and Your company. Pour out over me understanding—soaking it all in till it comprises all that I am—of how gracious, generous, amazing, patient, adoring, and wonderful You are. Let nothing surpass my love for You and my desire to be with You.
Root out those things in my heart that try to take first place. Show me the areas where I have decided that I know better than You. Protect me from the bombardment of images and sounds and ideas and conveniences that flood my way every single day. Give me proper boundaries and limits, a healthy enjoyment and balance of this earth, but not a dependence on it. Reveal to me where my pride is reigning, where my selfish desires are king, where my fear of lack holds sway. Then help me by showing me how to get rid of them, sweeping those insecurities out like the garbage they are.
Remind me that the temporary things set down in this life are just that. They will not last. They cannot sustain me. I always need more and more. I always have to go one level down, one step farther, dive in deeper. And it’s a chase after the unattainable, fool’s gold that dissolves just when I think I have captured it. I am let down, always so empty, then running after the next thing and the next, insanely hoping this time it will be enough.
Rid me of myself, and build me in Your image. Craft my soul, rebuilding the layers I have torn down, repairing the damage of sin and pride. Allow me and enable me to actually be the person You created. I want to be the fullest version of myself. I want to live outward, not afraid of anything, not leery of giving who I am or using the gifts You created me with. I will always have enough because I have You. I want to spend my life in the fullness of joy, in service to You, and service to others. Let the thoughts of myself be paired only with how You think of me. Let that truth be stamped in confidence and peace within me.
Join me today, my friends. Whatever holds your attention, whatever fears control you, whatever you think you need, throw it away if it be not of God. Let Him hold your hearts and minds, giving you actions and words, and sustaining the needs within you. Let Him be the happiness you seek and the knowledge you want and the contentment you crave.
Jesus, do this for us. We cannot achieve it on our own. It’s hard to even want it without You nudging our hearts with Your gentle and powerful Spirit. But we need it. We know the old ways don’t work. We are so lonely because we have been isolated from our true relationship with You. We know how longing can saturate our days without the reality that You are our destination. Eternity is our home. We belong to You and no other. Claim us and shape us, dear LORD.
I pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
