Christian Reflection and Prayer

There is a great quote from Lewis Carroll's "Alice in
Wonderland" with a profound message. Alice has
arrived at a crossroads and she doesn't know which
path to choose, so she asks advice from a Cheshire
cat sitting in the trees: "Which road do I take?" she
asks. "Where do you want to go?" the cat responds.
"I don't know," Alice answers." "Then it doesn't matter,
" says the cat.

And as often occurs in life today, when people have
no direction, they sometimes end up on roads that
lead them astray. If this poor soul had a destination
in mind when he “went out” perhaps he would have
passed by the fight that led him to curse God and he
might have lived. But once he got off track and made
a wrong turn, he started down a dangerous road and
was ultimately lost forever.

We need to be crystal clear about where we are
headed in life if we want to ensure that we stay on the
right track. Every decision we make and every step
that we take ought to be guided by our desired
destination. Wherever we go, let’s make sure that we
 are headed toward God.

With prayers for shalom, peace,
Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein

(excerpts taken from Holy Land Moments)

Scripture:

Psalm 101:1-4

Reflection:

Brennan Manning says, to live by grace means
to acknowledge my whole life story, the light
side and the dark. In admitting my shadow side
I learn who I am and what God's grace means.
When I have experienced his grace, I humbly
sing songs of love and praise to God with all
 that I am.

I experience the grace most deeply when I have
acknowledged the shortcomings, temptations,
and desires that increase the distance between
me and God, instead of drawing me closer. I may
reject them, but the desire often lingers. The
psalmist recognizes the desires this world and
the ego holdes. I will be careful, while also crying
out to God for aid—His grace. That grace is
offered to each of us. It is offered to our shadow
side and light side. I will humbly bring us to our
knees in gratitude and praise.

Prayer:

Gracious God, I recognize my desires that put
distance between us. I cry out to you, and you
were there. I am yours. All of me. Amen

(The Covenant Home Alter, Daily Devotions,
author Jennifer Andersson)