Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding; think about Him in all your ways, and He will guide you on the right paths. Proverbs 3:5-6
My words…
Praise
You are misunderstood by so many. We humans excel at misunderstanding and misrepresenting. Have You grown weary of it? Probably not. You are so long-suffering. Sam Harris states that You are either impotent, evil, or imaginary. Some believe You cause evil as a way to punish. Others are sure that You stopped performing miracles centuries ago. And then there are those who believe You are dead. You are the only Way to understanding what I need to know about You, me, and my world. Wouldn’t it be nice if everyone understood that?
Prayer for me
You remember the time I worked at a homeless shelter serving food. It’s not hard for me to remember since I ashamedly have only done it once. I scooped food onto a woman’s plate, and she asked me for more. I had been given strict instructions that I could not give more until everyone in the room had been fed. I explained this to her, and, using language that made my eyes pop, she shared with me her views about that rule. I had this woman pegged: she was ungrateful, selfish, and crude. I was relying heavily on my own understanding of her – a woman I had never met. I didn’t know the first thing about her past or her present. I am too quick to misunderstand those around me. Teach me how to understand people like You do.
Prayer for others
This world needs a heavy dose of holy understanding. Republicans misunderstand Democrats. Democrats misunderstand Republicans. One race is misunderstood by another. One faith misrepresents another. Then it builds, misunderstanding upon misunderstanding. That’s when rifts happen. Satan rubs his hands together in glee. Protect and strengthen everyone in my world who has the faith to “think about You in all their ways.” Let Your light shine through them like a beacon, blanketing the land in peace that passes understanding.
More praise
There is a “someday” when You will no longer be misunderstood. Your infinite qualities will be clearly known by all. For many, that someday will be a day of regret. But not for me.
