Have you seen your oculist lately? I find it's always good to get a check-up from the neck-up no matter how you read that, eyes just being one portion. If you get a new prescription for glasses you are often amazed at how much clearer the world is. Periodic adjustments in all of your life are an excellent idea.
In reading this selection from Psalm 37, I am reminded of what my path is. My entire life has been seeking the Lord. While I try to remind myself daily that I am a part of the world but not "of" the world, sometimes I can get caught up in daily routines, the news and world events. It is a distraction to say the least and before you know it, you could easily be off the path you've decided on. Lost in the very spot where you stand or sit. How many people are lost souls, unguided or misguided by worldly things? I think a periodic adjustment or reminder of what we believe and where we truly want to go is a good thing.
Truth be told though, even in this psalm there is a germ, a hint of how we go astray. I was thinking how so many people of my age are into 'reconnecting' via FaceBook and a whole aray of media platforms. It's not just to rekindle old friendships which is a good thing. It is good to share one's roots and reaffirm your path. That periodic readjustment if you will. Sometimes though I think it may be used to see where the others are, have they gone astray? How many people have you connected with that seem to have missed the messages of love and inclusion that we were raised on? Ruler whacking aside, which I never was on the receiving end of, the good Nuns gave us excellent examples and were superior teachers of the love, forgiveness and truth that the Gospel message tries to convey. There is more than one or two people that have been 'blocked' because their rants and opinions slide to just this side of lunacy, heresy and just bat-shit-crazy. In all fairness, the inclusive loving message of the Gospel does not always win me awards either. Jesus' radical message of love is not always accepted well. The fact that I don't cherry pick passages from Scripture to support my own agenda goes against a current trend as well.
While I think it's great to have even a daily means to self reflection and self assessment, I believe that I am better served sticking with Scripture as my guide than posing to myself how well or good I have done in comparison to others. There will always be those who have done better or worse than myself.
Once you know your course in life, it's a far far better thing to do, to travel along letting God be your guide. I guarantee you will always be loved, surprised, amazed, filled with joy and always be thankful.
Psalm 37
Do not fret because of the wicked;
do not be envious of wrongdoers,
for they will soon fade like the grass,
and wither like the green herb.
Trust in the Lord, and do good;
so you will live in the land, and enjoy security.
Take delight in the Lord,
and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Commit your way to the Lord;
trust in him, and he will act.
He will make your vindication shine like the light,
and the justice of your cause like the noonday.
Be still before the Lord, and wait patiently for him;
do not fret over those who prosper in their way,
over those who carry out evil devices.
Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath.
Do not fret—it leads only to evil.
For the wicked shall be cut off,
but those who wait for the Lord shall inherit the land.
Yet a little while, and the wicked will be no more;
though you look diligently for their place, they will not be there.
But the meek shall inherit the land,
and delight in abundant prosperity.
The wicked plot against the righteous,
and gnash their teeth at them;
but the Lord laughs at the wicked,
for he sees that their day is coming.
The wicked draw the sword and bend their bows
to bring down the poor and needy,
to kill those who walk uprightly;
their sword shall enter their own heart,
and their bows shall be broken.
Better is a little that the righteous person has
than the abundance of many wicked.
For the arms of the wicked shall be broken,
but the Lord upholds the righteous.
The Lord knows the days of the blameless,
and their heritage will abide for ever;
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