Jesus, as I reached the end of my written-out prayers this morning, I had a very real sense of being overwhelmed, almost to the point of despair and hopelessness. So many needs – people facing financial challenges, people with health issues, relationships that are strained, friends wrestling with addiction, others not finding work.
And a thought came into my mind ... "Why so downcast, o my soul? Put your hope in God." There was no need to feel overwhelmed or hopeless, or to drift into despair, as I had done the best thing possible: remove all these needs from my own fix-the-world grandiosity list and put them in the hands of the Creator of the Universe.
That doesn’t divorce me from caring, nor does it absolve me of being part of their solution. I still have the means to help others in financial need. I can talk to and encourage those with health issues. Relationship issues – my own – can heal over time if I maintain my commitment of ‘just a closer walk with thee.’ I am uniquely qualified to help others battling addiction. And, well, I’m the one not yet finding work, and I just need to do the tasks in front of me and leave the rest to you.
All of this returns hope, and provides an opportunity for my trust and faith to increase as I see you work in every situation. I want to stay hopeful, giving thanks with a grateful heart.
Let the weak say, ‘I am strong’.
Let the poor say, ‘I am rich’.
But only because of what you have done for us.
Amen.
