Lets Just Do One thing Well

Many times the expectations on us are just too heavy.

When I saw this image I just had to use it.

So many times we want to be the dog on the right, doing great things, projecting strength, and on top of everything.

Whereas, in reality, we are more like the pooch on the left, barely lifting the little that there is to lift.

Hmm, I think Jesus knew exactly how the people were with handling the religious loads projected on to them.

Jesus replied, “And you experts in the law, woe to you, because you load people down with burdens they can hardly carry, and you yourselves will not lift one finger to help them.” Luke 11:46

One of the consistent discoveries I have found with people who struggle with mental illness is the guilt and sense of failure of not being able to do what everyone else, supposedly, is able to do.

An example is reading the Bible, and in particular, say, reading the whole Bible in a year. A worthy goal, but even for most this is a daunting challenge.

It maybe because of concentration difficulties, literacy skills, low motivation or other issues.

The mountain of reading the Bible can seem just yet another opportunity to experience failure. Why bother? (Like that? Tweet it)

When I was 16, last millennium, I decided to pray one prayer every day for a whole year.

Its quite a famous prayer and it was one of those prayers that I sensed Spirit (Holy) drawing me to pray, to get into my psyche, to shape my young brain.

The prayer was the Prayer of St. Francis

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury,pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Amen

I found a copy in a magazine, ripped it out, glued it in the front of my Bible, and read it.

Everyday, 365 of them, I prayed this prayer.

It set my brain up in ways I couldn’t have imagined and only looking back in retrospect can I see how this spiritual exercise shaped my inner soul.

So here is what I have decided I am going to do this year.

Wherever I am, whatever I am doing, everyday I will read Psalm 40.

Why Psalm 40? Not too sure why, but as I read it this morning something resonated within me.

So as I read, study, and pray over this passage I wonder what God will do in my thinking.

Psalm 40

Thanksgiving for Deliverance and Prayer for Help
To the leader. Of David. A Psalm.

1 I waited patiently for the Lord;
he inclined to me and heard my cry.
2 He drew me up from the desolate pit,
out of the miry bog,
and set my feet upon a rock,
making my steps secure.
3 He put a new song in my mouth,
a song of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear,
and put their trust in the Lord.

4 Happy are those who make
the Lord their trust,
who do not turn to the proud,
to those who go astray after false gods.
5 You have multiplied, O Lord my God,
your wondrous deeds and your thoughts towards us;
none can compare with you.
Were I to proclaim and tell of them,
they would be more than can be counted.

6 Sacrifice and offering you do not desire,
but you have given me an open ear.
Burnt-offering and sin-offering
you have not required.
7 Then I said, ‘Here I am;
in the scroll of the book it is written of me.
8 I delight to do your will, O my God;
your law is within my heart.’

9 I have told the glad news of deliverance
in the great congregation;
see, I have not restrained my lips,
as you know, O Lord.
10 I have not hidden your saving help within my heart,
I have spoken of your faithfulness and your salvation;
I have not concealed your steadfast love and your faithfulness
from the great congregation.

11 Do not, O Lord, withhold
your mercy from me;
let your steadfast love and your faithfulness
keep me safe for ever.
12 For evils have encompassed me
without number;
my iniquities have overtaken me,
until I cannot see;
they are more than the hairs of my head,
and my heart fails me.

13 Be pleased, O Lord, to deliver me;
O Lord, make haste to help me.
14 Let all those be put to shame and confusion
who seek to snatch away my life;
let those be turned back and brought to dishonour
who desire my hurt.
15 Let those be appalled because of their shame
who say to me, ‘Aha, Aha!’

16 But may all who seek you
rejoice and be glad in you;
may those who love your salvation
say continually, ‘Great is the Lord!’
17 As for me, I am poor and needy,
but the Lord takes thought for me.
You are my help and my deliverer;
do not delay, O my God.