As I think about the purpose of Loud Time, I'm realizing that it demands a lot more self-discipline than I can muster up on my own. I'm purportedly writing about "all things loud and timely," which should give me plenty of ground to cover, but then I fall into navel-gazing and trolling for compliments. . . . Then again, loud time as a sacred practice--which is where I hope to get--is the negotiation of several I's following one big Thou. Or something like that. That's one reason I like comments--it's accountability and virtual mutual affirmation all in one. I am not the center of the universe in Loud Time, but I certainly am one occupant.
Enjoy this third and final section of the prayer about time. It's hopeful and circumspect at the same time, which is a good way for all of us to be. A blessing on your head.
Guard us against attempting too much
because of a false sense of our indispensability,
a false sense of ambition,
a false sense of rivalry,
a false sense of guilt,
or a false sense of inferiority:
yet do not let us mistake our responsibilities,
underestimate ourselves,
fail to be stimulated by others,
overlook our weaknesses,
or know our proper limits.
Enable us also to realise that
important though this life is,
it is not all,
that we should view what we do
in the light of eternity,
not just our limited horizons,
that we ourselves have eternal life now.
God our Father, you are not
so much timeless as timeful,
you do not live above time so much as
hold "all times . . . in your hand",
you have prepared for us a time
when we will have leisure
to enjoy each other and you to the full,
and we thank you, appreciate you
and applaud you for it.
Amen
2 comments:
I appreciate this prayer so much, as I find myself falling into the foibles mentioned at the beginning of the prayer so much. We long for relationship, to be truly seen and truly known . . . the comments facilitate this to some extent because the postings that prompt the comments are our attempts to put ourselves out there, to be seen and known as we really are by what we've chosen to share. When someone responds, it validates that we were seen and known. It engenders relationship.
This isn't going to help you with the sanctification of the use of time or anything, but I've memed you again. That's what you get for being one of the few bloggers I know (who haven't already been tagged--or responded to it). Not, of course, that I wouldn't have tagged you. Or . . . whatever.
Post a Comment