You are my portion, Lord; I have promised to obey your words.

I have sought your face with all my heart; be gracious to me according to your promise.

I have considered my ways and have turned my steps to your statutes.

I will hasten and not delay to obey your commands.

Though the wicked bind me with ropes, I will not forget your law.

At midnight I rise to give you thanks for your righteous laws.

I am a friend to all who fear you, to all who follow your precepts.

The earth is filled with your love, Lord; teach me your decrees.

Psalm 119:57-64

Dear God, well, I made a mistake this morning. I spent time reading social media and news before I spent time reading scripture and centering my mind on you. You are my hope. It doesn’t matter what my “friends” think. It doesn’t matter what the liberal or conservative press think. In the long run, I will be left with the life you have given me to live. I will be left with the stewardship of the people you have put in my sphere. The resources you have put in my sphere. The work you have put in my sphere. I cannot solve our country’s response to COVID-19 or racial injustice, but I can look around and ask you what you would have me do. Yes, I need to read news and know what is going on, but that’s not where I need to start. I need to start with you. I need to be in tune with you. So I’m sorry for going out there on my own this morning. I’m sorry for looking at the world and my friends with my eyes and not yours. I’m really sorry. I paid for it with a sickness in my soul and spirit. But here I am now.

You are my portion. I promise to obey your words. I will seek your face with all of my heart. Please be gracious to me and forgive me. I know enough of you that I am compelled to turn from my own foolishness and follow you. The world’s wisdom will entangle me in my sin, but your laws will free me. I will worship you. I worship you now. I will be good counsel to those who love you and I will also be good counsel to those who to not regard you. I will live my lie to comfort others and point them to you. As I sit in this town square and look around at the birds, trees, grass, and sky, I am in awe of your beautiful world. It is yours. I give you the glory for all of it, and each person I see right now as well.

In Jesus’s amen I pray,

Amen