I’ve been out of town and working on projects lately and have missed posting the last couple of weekly prayers. This week’s prayer says this:
Almighty and merciful God,
it is only by your gift that your faithful people offer you true and laudable service:
Grant that we may run without stumbling to obtain your heavenly promises;
through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
Amen.
Stumbling.
Confession: I have a phobia of stumbling on steps and breaking my teeth. Anyone else with that one?? Sheesh, it’s kind of a dumb fear to have, but honestly I think of it nearly every time I’m going up concrete or stone steps. Yikes!
I don’t think about stumbling in my spiritual life nearly as often, but when I do, I usually picture a Big Blowout of some kind - a giant problem or sin that pops up and totally messes with me.
The truth is, it’s usually the little things that tend to trip us up: petty disagreements, longing for better stuff, feeling bitter about “that thing,” hanging on to regrets, letting politics get the best of us, getting upset over first world problems...the list goes on.
I love being reminded that we are to run with our eyes on the prize:
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. (Hebrews 12:1-2A)
This week, don’t let the little things make you stumble. Instead keep on looking at Jesus. He will not fail you, and He will always be with you...giving you strength and perseverance and joy in your race.
Blessings,
Rachel
