...and offered it

on the rock to the LORD,

to the One

   who works wonders.

            Judges 13. 19

(Am I placing this need,

this dilemma,

my shortcomings

         on the altar

and offering it to God?

Not just

   "show me what to

    do with this,"

but "align my heart

            with Yours."

Putting something

        on the altar

does not take it

     out of our hands,

but instead opens up

    our response to

    God's leading in it.

The word "works" here

is an active verb

and literally means

in Hebrew "working."

God is always

      up to something,

never ceases what

          He is doing,

never done.

We have only a glimpse

of what God can do

and of what He is doing

in our responding

                 to Him.)

O LORD,

We come before You

and lay on the altar

not just our sins

       and mess-ups,

but our praise and honor

   to You, Almighty One.

You are not just working

in our lives,

but You are abiding.

Help us to not miss

    the wonders

not just of what You do

        all around us,

but the wonders

       of who You are

and that You love us.

May we claim and proclaim

    Your Name

to our steps,

our words,

our actions,

our attitudes,

and point others to You.

This day

   is about Your glory,

even in what we

   cannot yet see.