The Circle

praise and thanksgiving
living for the Lord to
love Him first
above all
before all
Love as He Loves
the Ideal is
so far from my reality
but so close to my heart
so easy to be lost in daily living
caught up in circumstances
trials that challenge
faith to its edge
hope to its core
love to its end and
sometimes result in
anxious imaginations and
vain dreads that
move me imperceptively away
from the Source where my
eternal journey began
without realizing their detours of
self-centeredness
ego's enthronement
self''s futile striving
feeding my flesh's
unsavory appetites
until Mercy reveals the new
projected destination and
awakens me back to
metanoia's resolve
initiated by Grace which
points my heart back to the One
who lifts me by the Spirit's wings
before Heaven's throne
there to worship in tears of
greateful sorrow
praise and thanksgiving
resolving to Love Him
first
above all
before all and so
the circle continues
ever deeper
ever new

Reflection/Discussion:
-What is "Metanoia"?
-What is the 'circle'?
-What is your experience of getting "off track" and coming 'home' again?
-What are your 'anxious imaginations' and 'vain dreads'?
-How can we minimize 'falling away' from the Lord?
-What is your prayer life like?
-How can you become more disciplined in your walk with the Lord?
-How can you become more 'accountable' to others?