Opening Prayer:
Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy Name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Read Ecclesiastes 1:1-18
Pray:
Vapor, vapor. Everything is vapor. Lord, show me what I cling to in vain, and teach me to let go, so that I can rest in your presence.
Picture in your mind’s eye the throne of King Jesus. Consider how he looks at you. As you meditate on each of the statements below, allow the Holy Spirit to give you a visual representation for what is revealed. Imagine yourself laying these vanities at the feet of Jesus as a sacrifice fo praise. Letting the vapor slip through your hands in his presence. Spend about 20-30 seconds sitting with each statement, journalling out your response.
I am not my good deeds.
What do you fear might happen if you get things wrong?
I am not my ability to love others well.
Whose opinions of you do you let determine your value?
I am not defined by my successes or failures.
What do you point to in you life to prove you’re worthy of love?
I am not my unique contribution to the world.
What bit of your personality are you most afraid to lose because it makes you special?
I am not my ability to understand any of this.
In what areas of your life do you obsessively consume information to protect yourself from feeling fear?
I am not my defined by my team affiliation.
Which tribal voices do you let tell you who you are?
I am not my pleasures or need for new experiences.
What frivolities do you hold onto tightly to avoid dark emotions?
I am not my ability to fight or struggle.
Are you afraid if you slow down and let go, you don’t care enough?
I am not measured by how much conflict is in my world.
What are you avoiding right now? Why?
I am the Beloved of God.