Those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. (Rom 8:14 NIV)

Whoever is led and motivated by the Spirit of God will discard his own will more and more and even given up temporal desires and hope that is focused on this fleeting life only. His aim and goal will become those of his Lords. Whoever continues to look askance to the passing pleasures and desires of this world, will loose the joyful focus of his soul to serve the celestial bridegroom wholeheartedly and with complete determination.

The striving for honor and recognition from others is another serious danger to loose this focus. God’s Holy Spirit teaches us to live humbly and to associate with those who are lowly and needy too. Their motto in life is: “Our lives are hidden in God.” It is as Luther once said: “Before God uses a person for his high purpose, he must have come to the very bottom of things. His heart must first be broken and his cheekiness destroyed before it can be fixed and uplifted.”  Strange, but true.

Lord my God! If in me there is still something alive in my, that does not relinquish the old ways and that doesn’t rejoice in serving and worshipping you o God – then let your most Holy Spirit not stop until he has destroyed my old sinful being and made room for your new and pure being in me. Then I will serve you in your strength – for when I am weak, then I am strong in you. Lord, I want to serve you in your people. I desire to shine as your light – being consumed in serving you and yours. My calling is my joy. Your approval is my comfort and desire. My prayer and communion with you are my bliss and fulfilment until I die. Amen.

“Come unto Me, ye weary, And I will give you rest.” O blessed voice of Jesus, Which comes to hearts oppressed! It tells of benediction, of pardon, grace and peace, Of joy that hath no ending, Of love that cannot cease.

“Come unto Me, ye wand’rers, And I will give you light.” O loving voice of Jesus, Which comes to cheer the night! Our hearts were filled with sadness, And we had lost our way; But Thou hast brought us gladness And songs at break of day.

“Come unto Me, ye fainting, And I will give you life.” O cheering voice of Jesus, Which comes to aid our strife! The foe is stern and eager, The fight is fierce and long; But Thou hast made us mighty And stronger than the strong.

“And whosoever commeth, I will not cast him out.” O patient love of Jesus, Which drives away our doubt, Which, though we be unworthy Of love so great and free, Invites us very sinners To come, dear Lord, to Thee! (Jacob William C. Dix, 1937-1898)

This is a rather free translation of Wilhelm Löhe’s devotion for Wednesday after the eighth Sunday after the high holiday and festival of the Holy Trinity. It is found on Pg. 274 in Lob sei Dir ewig, o Jesu!   (Eternal Praise to you o Jesus!) edited by A. Schuster and published in the Freimund Verlag, Neuendettelsau 1949.