Fill Me

Open my heart, Lord.  Show me what belongs there. Show me the things that are of the world, and the things that are of You.

Teach me to tell the difference.  Let me recognize your voice.  Let me not run away when you call.  Don't let me turn back to the evil when you are calling me to come to you.

Let me be like Simon and Andrew and James and John.  If you call me, I want to go with you.

It would be hard, Lord, to leave my job and my family and my dog.  I don't think you would ask that of me, because it is a different world now, and you know that.  We  need to be more selfless in taking care of ourselves and our family, and the people of our church. You wouldn't ask me to leave them and to follow you, would you, Lord?

I understand.

You are calling me, aren't you, Lord? 

You aren't asking me to leave my job or my family, my church or my dog.  You are calling me to serve you from where I am.  You are calling me to comfort my mom-in-law during her need, to love my family (even the ones that are hardest to love) unconditionally, to do my part to bring others to your feet--especially those who I know as unbelievers and those who are wishy-washy about religion.

Lord, take out of my heart those dark thoughts.  Replace them with kindness. Make me an example of faith and let your eternal light shine through me. I don't want to be the "before" picture of Jonah who ran to hide in a whale. I don't want to be Lot's wife who turned back to see the evil once more. I don't want my heart to have room for the abyss, but for you and your works.

I think I've got that right.  I accept your calling, unworthy as I am.

Fill me with your Spirit. Let me be living in the world as long as you need me to be, until I have accomplished your purpose, but never let me be worldly. I know you understand me, Lord.