Fullness

Heavenly Father,

You have revealed to me myself as a mass of sin,
   and yourself as the fullness of goodness,
      with strength enough to help me,
      wisdom enough to guide me,
      mercy enough to enliven me
      and love enough to satisfy me.
You have shown me that because you are mine
       I can live by your life,
       be strong in your strength,
       be guided by your wisdom;
   and so I can rest my thoughts and heart in you.
This is the exchange of wonderful love -
   for me to have you for myself
   and for you to have me, and to give me yourself.
There is in you all fullness of the good I need,
   and the fullness of all grace to draw my to yourself,
   I who, otherwise, could never have come.
But having come, I must cling to you,
   be knit to you,
   always seek you.
There is no one who is all good as you are:
With you I can live without other things,
   for you are God all-sufficient,
   and the glory, peace, rest, joy of the world
      is a temporary, perishing thing
         in comparison with you.
Please help me to know that the one who hopes for nothing but you,
   and in all things hopes only for you, hopes truly,
   and that I must place all my happiness in holiness,
      if I hope to be filled with all grace.
O Convince me that I can have no peace at death,
   nor hope that I should go to Christ,
      unless I intend to do his will
   and have his fullness while I live.