the slimy pit

Opening Prayer: O Lord, thank you for the slimy pits in our lives, they teach us that we cannot do it on our own and force us to trust in you.  Amen.

Scripture: Psalm 40:1-3

Journal: What is the slimy pit in your life?  How do you typically try to climb out of it?  How well is that working for you?  What does it look like to let God lift you up out of it, set your feet on a rock, give you a firm place to stand and put a new song in your mouth?

Reflection: I wonder why it is that I keep trying to climb out of the slimy pit on my own.  It never works; at least not for long.  Before I know it I am right back down there again, wallowing around in the muck and the mire, beating myself up for not being able to do better—frustrated, disheartened, and defeated.  Same old song, different verse. 

     You’d think I would have learned by now; I can’t get out of the slimy pit on my own.  I need help.  I need God.  Only he can lift me up out of the slimy pit, set my feet on a rock, give me a frim place to stand, and put a new song in my heart.  I wonder why it is so hard for me to admit that, stop trying to do it on my own, and turn to him?  Why do I keep trying to do it the hard way?

     Lift me up, O Lord, set my feet on a rock, give me a firm place to stand, and put a new song in my mouth.  I just can’t do it on my own. 

Prayer

Closing Prayer: Lift me up, O Lord, set my feet on a rock, give me a firm place to stand, and put a new song in my mouth.  I just can’t do it on my own.