The Treasure of Our Lives

Faithful One,

You are the treasure of our lives. Time and time again, you have shown us your steady, unwavering love, which draws us into your mercy and blesses us with unending grace. In the crucible of life, you have sustained us. When harsh and painful things have come, you have been with us in our suffering, aware of every sting and sorrow. When we have begged for answers and clarity and have been met with your quietness, you do not run away from our anger or frustration with you. When we have abused you with our words or ignored you in our hearts, you did not forget us. Instead, you remained, wholly confident in your perfect love, which is sweet as honey and a balm to our hardened hearts.

We know that you invite us, each day, to turn to you and your secure love. You invite us to stop running or hiding. To stop letting shame and the burden of brokenness dictate the terms of living. You want us to be free in You, as we are meant to be.

So, once again, we come to you, in whatever condition we find ourselves today, and we receive that gift of freedom. We welcome your lavish love and receive it. We swim in it with joyful hearts, delighting in the hope that can be found only in you, Jesus. 

We want this hope to shape us and bring form to our lives in new ways. To bring conviction and transformation. We want your hope to prune away that which causes harm in our minds, hearts, and relationships. We want your hope to pour out of us in the fractured places where we find ourselves. Whether it be friend or foe, we want your love to set the terms and provoke mutual flourishing in and through you.

We confess, God, that life's trials and tribulations can be overwhelming. Unhealthy relationships, sickness, politics, natural disasters, inflation, war… the list is long. What do we need to hear from you this morning? You say you are God with us, and we believe you. Help us hear your voice, Jesus, and feel your peace. We come before you in the stillness and quietness to listen and see.

Amen.