Quieted ambition

Lectio. Psalm 131.

-TNIV-

My heart is not proud, LORD,
my eyes are not haughty;
I do not concern myself with great matters
or things too wonderful for me.
But I have calmed myself
and quieted my ambitions.
I am like a weaned child with its mother;
like a weaned child I am content.

Israel, put your hope in the LORD
both now and forevermore.


Meditatio. Psalm 131.

Calmed myself. Quited my ambition.


Lectio. Second Reading.

-The Message-

God, I'm not trying to rule the roost,
I don't want to be king of the mountain.
I haven't meddled where I have no business
or fantasized grandiose plans.

I've kept my feet on the ground,
I've cultivated a quiet heart.
Like a baby content in its mother's arms,
my soul is a baby content.

Wait, Israel, for God. Wait with hope.
Hope now; hope always!


Meditatio. Psalm 131.

The point about work, is that it is centred upon what I can do, the difference I can make, the value I can add. We jump past one hoop, leap over a hurdle, and look for another chance to conquer a mountain that's bigger than the last. The achiever that I am, I'm constantly on the look out for new opportunities to do something worthwhile.

A quiet heart requires cultivating. Our ambitions need to be quieted that we may hear His voice calling, that we may patiently wait and hope, with the type of faith that's centred upon the understanding that God is still at work in our world.

Lectio. Third Reading.

-TNIV-

My heart is not proud, LORD,
my eyes are not haughty;
I do not concern myself with great matters
or things too wonderful for me.
But I have calmed myself
and quieted my ambitions.
I am like a weaned child with its mother;
like a weaned child I am content.

Israel, put your hope in the LORD
both now and forevermore.


Meditatio. Psalm 131.

There are many things I can do, but the one needful thing I must do is to be still and listen. To calm myself and quiet my ambition, and relegate even my precious notebook of creative ideas and works in progress to the holding bay, in recognition of the One who breathed inspiration into me in the first place. I shall not usurp His throne, but take my place in His created order.

Prayer. A Response.

Father in heaven, your name is holy. Let your kingdom come, your will be done, here on earth as it is in heaven. Give me this day my daily bread, forgive me for my shortcomings, as I also forgive those who have sinned against me. Lead me not into a place of testing, but deliver me from evil. For yours is the kingdom, yours is the power, yours is the glory, forever and ever. Amen.