I’ve missed you, Lord.

You know I’ve been busy lately. It seems only yesterday we started a new year and I started strong, meeting you in the mornings the way Moses did. He knew the importance of getting his instructions and being renewed.

I know that, too. But some days life is just too much—too much running…too much chaos…too much time in Overwhelm City.

Before I blinked, we were celebrating the Christ-Child’s birth again. The calendar bulged with church dinners, choir programs, charity projects for the needy—not to mention housecleaning and decorating and shopping. Good things ate my hours and stole the time I set aside to worship you.

Now another new year is underway, and I’ve come to our meeting place feeling desolate. Can you believe it? Desolate in this season of joy…desolate because I had no room for you.

I’m lonely for you, Lord. Lonely for your presence and your gentle voice. Do you have time to meet with me today?

I hear you calling me to renew my surrender—heart, will, body.

“I appeal to you therefore, brethren, and beg of you in view of [all] the mercies of God, to make a decisive dedication of your bodies [presenting all your members and faculties] as a living sacrifice, holy (devoted, consecrated) and well pleasing to God, which is your reasonable (rational, intelligent) service and spiritual worship” (Romans 12:1 Amplified).

Lord, I renew my surrender of all I am and have. My heart’s desire is to be well pleasing to you.

(Adapted from Cabbages and Kings–Reflections on Living Abundantly in Christ.)