April 18

Compete well for the faith and lay hold of that eternal life you were called for and made your good confession for in the presence of many witnesses. — 1 Tim 6:12 NET

Nor can I count him happiest who has never
Been forced with his own hand his chains to sever,
And for himself find out the way divine;
He never knew the aspirer’s glorious pains,
He never earned the struggler’s priceless gains.
— James Russell Lowell.

There is not time for hate, O wasteful friend.
Put hate away until the ages end.
Have you an ancient wound? Forget the wrong—
Out in my West a forest loud with song
Towers high and green over a field of snow,
Over a glacier buried far below.
— Edwin Markham.

Prayer

Lord God, help me to realize the power of my life. I feel ashamed and alarmed when I think of the grievous wrongs I may have done for greed. May I have delight in the struggles I have made for the ways of righteousness. Make me careful to avoid the things that debase life. May I aspire for the highest and best. Amen.