And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God,
Titus 2:12
Dear God, there is a line between changing the world and living in it. It’s your job to change the world. It’s my job to live in my small corner of it and impact what I can through the sphere of influence you’ve given to me.
I think too many people right now are obsessed with changing the world from the top down. I ran into a friend at the store yesterday and somehow our conversation about the drought and how hard it has been on his ranching turned into a rant about how our country is going downhill because of its leadership. I tried to bring it back by pointing out some of the “idol” work I’ve done over the last two and a half years, asking myself what my idols are. Government? Health? Economy? Military? Wife? Children? Not all of these have been idols for me, but some of them certainly have. They are what I want to put my certainty in instead of putting my certainty in you and you alone.
But if I can “live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to [you],” then I have a chance of being part of your kingdom coming and your will being done on earth as it is in heaven from the ground up. You don’t build a house starting with the roof and working down to the foundation and the soil. First you have to deal with the grassroots–the soil. Then the foundation, walls, roof, and finally finish out the inside.
Father, Jesus, and Holy Spirit, I pray under submission to your authority that you will guide me today. Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. Bring those I love one step closer to you. Bring me a step closer to you as well. You are my God. I am your grateful and loving servant.
Amen