Choices
O GOD,
Though I am allowed to approach thee
I am not unmindful of my sins,
I do not deny my guilt,
I confess my wickedness,
and earnestly plead forgiveness.
May I with Moses choose affliction rather than enjoy the pleasures of sin.
Help me to place myself always under thy guiding and guardian care,
to take firmer hold of the sure covenant that binds me to thee,
to feel more of the purifying, dignifying,
softening influence of the religion I profess,
to have more compassion, love, pity, courtesy,
to deem it an honor to be employed by thee as an instrument in thy
hands,
ready to seize every opportunity of usefulness,
and willing to offer all my talents to thy service.
Thou hast done for me all things well,
hast remembered, distinguished, indulged me.
All my desires have not been gratified,
but thy love denied them to me when fulfillment of my wishes
would have proved my ruin or injury.
My trials have been fewer than my sins,
and when I have kissed the rod it has fallen from thy hands.
Thou hast often wiped away my tears,
restored peace to my mourning heart,
chastened me for my profit.
All thy work for me is perfect,
and I praise thee.
—Valley of Vision
Writers of old had a more ‘distraction free’ perspective on faith than we do in our distraction-saturated world today. Free of all the entertainments, conveniences, and technologies of our ‘enlightenment,’ our forefathers seemed to sense God around them a lot more readily than we do today. Have we lost view of the Light amidst all our enlightenment? This prayer reads to me like many of the Psalms. Bold confession; repentance; renewed profession of faith; and growing in God’s grace. May we find such a singular focus; silence the noise all about us; seek that still, small voice, and be renewed. —DH
—David Hoskins, Founder & Care Guide, Sanctuary Clinics