THE SHIFT

When did my steps become unsteady and my view so bleak?

What had me shift my love from You to me?

How did I forget Your kingdom and start to build mine?

Where was it that I began to believe the lies?

When did my focus change to my desires?

How did I allow my cares and pursuit of this world to dampen my fire?

What caused my commitment to daily dedication to drift?

Lord, how did I not see or feel The Shift?

Now I am aware of how my yearning for immediate gratification caused me to drift.

Something shifted inside of me, and I displaced all that was.

I know it wasn’t something You authored because

The voice gave me an enticing excuse for why, as the enemy does

Then it drew me away from You with its reason for how it should be

Working to rewrite every vision, dream, and purpose You have given me.

Replacing the character, motives, words, and promise that enabled me to succeed.

I let the pain and dissatisfaction of disappointment, frustration, and delay

 Guide me to make my own way,

Determining where my future would lead,

Quieting the voice telling me to heed.

Ignoring the calls to seek, pray, wait, be humble, resist, and read.

Something was off, and I knew it. My longing for You grew quiet;

There was little thought to my spiritual diet.

Now I see how my desire, longing for the pleasures of this world,

called me further from Your will and presence.

Leaving me clothed in darkness and devoid of Your essence,

Numb to the spiritual senses that guided me through life.

Now fumbling and striving, trying to contrive my own version of right.

Now that I’ve spun my wheels in the mud of flesh,

Heavily bogged down by the weight of worldliness.

I have lost my strength and failed the test.

I didn’t wear Your armor or choose what was best.

No longer filled with the Joy of the Lord that empowered me

Because I was busy appeasing the flesh with worldly things;

Its voice calls out to me,

Unsatisfied and hungry still,

Never pleased, never having its fill

Calling, yelling, whispering ill,

Telling me to try other things that I know are just as dark and lead to hell

I listen, wondering what was its appeal?

I allowed myself to be deceived

Yielding to my fleshly desires and greed

Lord, deliver, renew, and heal.

Father, restore, make whole, and fill.

Now I realize it’s time to fight.

Time to stop acting ignorant and do what is right.

Those things once told me what to do.

They had me darkening my view.

God, forgive me for the drift.

Lord, renew me from the shift.

Heal me from the bruises of the chain wrapped around my soul

Deliver my appetite that allowed them to take hold.

Lord, I repent; restore me again.

Lord, You have my heart; let us commune again.

Help me to fortify against the drift and call Your Friend

Equip me to stabilize against the shift and be obedient

Valuing You more than comfort and fame

Honoring You above every name

Not giving place for other voices to reign

Not yielding space for the world, the kingdom of darkness, or self

To lead me to stray.

Lord, I draw nigh and take Your hand;

Lead me from this shifting sand.   

Inspired by: God’s Love                  Written by: Avis Sparks