Righteousness

Forgive me Lord, I ask You for a heart that is contrite;
A heart that would seek righteousness, instead of being right.
How many opportunities for graciousness I’ve missed?
Humility passed up for pride… too numerous to list.
I have to win, I can’t give in, I won’t give up the fight.
I find it quite impossible, to be anything but right.
In the never ending struggle to prove how right I am -
Of course, to my chagrin it seems, I hardly ever am.
Surely I have the ability, to muster some humility.
Mastering ones pride can’t be and act of mere futility.
The humble and the meek, we know, in God’s eyes they are strong;
Yet, when it’s time to say I’m sorry… I choke upon that song.
The enemy’s convincing - to this, I can attest.
He’ll plant a seed, that I don’t need, and pride will do the rest.
Satan’s ploy is to destroy – the fear he will awaken;
To so deceive, that we’d believe, we must never be mistaken.
Doing right and being right… two very different things.
One glorifies the Father – the other, often stings.
The key to being righteous isn’t being right at all;
It’s lifting up another - be the one to break their fall.
The grace that can’t be earned by being right, you see, is free.
Could this be the very righteousness the Father wants for me?
Conviction by Your Holy Spirit… giving me direction;
Your counsel and correction, Lord, could this be my protection?
When we embrace our weakness, we will find that we are strong.
Help me, Lord, to realize it’s okay to be wrong.
The grace that You bestow on us, Lord, let it flow from me.
A heart that graces others – then through righteousness, set free.
Lord displace my vast ungrace, and make my hearts delight
The righteousness of doing… instead of being right.