A Letter To God

     For some reason, this Sunday, I feel the need in my soul to converse with God.  So I hope you will indulge this private correspondence with our Maker:

Dear Father God,
 
     I don't even know how to begin asking for Your forgiveness for not only my sins, but the transgressions of this nation.  Each Sunday, I have tried to show my readers one of your infinite attributes through your inspiring Scripture.  I have tried to let the Holy Spirit speak through me, and let each person know who You are and how much you wish to relate to them.
     But this week, I am overcome with a sickness at my core of how much we must offend You.  I read the headlines and they become more and more egregious each day.  We not only harm each other in ever-increasing and foul ways, but we must hurt Your heart as we flagrantly disobey your commands and precepts.
     You have every right to judge us and cast us out of Your presence.  We deserve it, based on the vile ways we have misrepresented You in the Church, and have destroyed those You created in our wombs.  How we must displease You as we engage in our selfish lives, full of pride and unbelief!
     You have told us in Your Word that You are a God slow to anger, abounding in love and forgiving sin and rebellion.  And You have proven that over and over!  Your love is truly boundless, and through Your grace and mercy, You have given us multiple chances to change our sinful ways.  Thank You, Father!  But that's usually where most Christians stop reading.  For if they were to reveal your whole truth, they would also accept the rest of that passage ... that You do not leave the guilty unpunished; that You punish the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation.
     And, God, how we are guilty!  But, Father, there is a sincere remnant who are trying to rightly gaze upon You, instead of this world.  We are growing in our knowledge of what You want us to know in these last days, and preparing ourselves for your imminent return.  We feel separate from this world, as strangers in a strange land.  Indeed, we are comprehending that all who call upon Your holy name are seeing increased persecution and hate.  But you told us that would be our fate, didn't You?
     So, Father, I ask you for increased faith, strength and wisdom in the days to come.  Help me to stay focused on You, always seeking Your face and Your purpose for my life.  I want my life to portray "Thy will be done", not my own.
     I am far from perfect, Father, as you well know.  I need Your help in controlling my thoughts and my tongue.  I need You to show me how to reach others for Your kingdom.  And although I have conquered many of my fears, You know which ones I still need to work on.  I want to trust You completely and wholly, and I can only do that with Your help!
     And finally, Father, please do not give up on those I love who have not yet answered your knock on the door.  I know that the time is soon coming when you will harvest those who are Yours, and I pray that they will not tarry in recognizing their need for You.  We are all lost sheep, Father, listening for the sound of our Good Shepherd's voice.  Let them hear, Father!  I thank you for your constant pursuit of my soul and for not giving up on me.  I want them to know the blessings I have received.
     Thank you for listening, Lord, and I thank You for Your presence in my life.  Continue to help me speak to Your people through this blog, and I pray that it is You who are being glorified, not me.  It is in the precious and holy name of Your Son, Yeshua, that I pray with humble thanksgiving and gratitude.