Tuesday, July 3, 2012

Dear God,

When the rains came, they washed away the dust and grime cleansing the earth one more time.  Today I realized there is a power in rain to clean and cleanse.  Although the process of moisture, temperature, and air  work together to make rain, there seems to be more to it than that.

It seems there is so much that needs cleansing.  Oh, if the rain could wash away the evil that seeks to do harm in the world.  Once again the subject of human trafficking rose its ugly head as we watched a true story.  My soul bent in half as I considered the numbers of victims...2.5 million people, mostly children and young people. How can it be?  How can one human being tear at the fabric of a single human soul?

As I consider the evil all around, I always have to ask myself where evil lurks within me.  How can I judge those around me unless I do a thorough search of my own self?  Where does evil wish to root itself in my soul and how do I play out that evil to wound others?

A moment of reflection helps me remember my own words, attitudes, and actions.  As you often do to all of us, you came to me shining a light in my darkness.  Convinced of my own sin and reluctance to change, you persuaded me to let go, to surrender, and to allow you to bathe me in your living water, water powerful enough to cleanse from within.  After bathing I drank from the cup of the purest water.

Gracious God,
clean us up.
Make us new.
Minister to
your children
harmed by
evil's force.
Make us new.
Teach us
to live
the way
of peace.
Make us new.
Restore us
to your side.
Make us new.
Remove all obstacles
that keep us
apart from you.
Make us new.
Make us new, Lord,
make us new,
I pray.

Love, Andrea