Show us the Father
I am very much like the disciples in today's gospel. I keep asking to see more clearly. "Show us the Father." And I don't always get the answer Jesus gives. "If you have seen me, you have seen the Father." And then I want to know where I have seen Jesus. It is hard to accept what I know is the answer--in all those I meet and in every circumstance of my life. At this point that is consoling but also disappointing. I am grateful that the opportunities to see and respond to Jesus are so near and so abundant. But I am disappointed that they are so ordinary and still not as clear as I would like. This is part of the struggle of discernment. Figuring out just what is being revealed in all those ordinary events of life.
I conclude that it will take much practice over a long time for me to begin to have clarity about what others are calling me to and what others are revealing about the path God has for me. It will take many moments of prayerful reflection on the events of my day and my history before I have even a modicum of clarity. Patience and fidelity are part of the discernment process and also being able to accept some fogginess. It will still take trust to respond. I would like the kind of clarity that leave no room for risk.
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Thursday, April 17, 2008
God in My History
The section of Acts of the Apostles which we read today, includes a history of the people of Isreal with the intent of seeing God acting in it and preparing for the coming of Christ. We could probably do a review of our personal history in the same way--with a view to seeing how God has been providing for us and preparing us for this moment from the very beginning. This would be a good exercise for discernment--a survey of all the moments of my life, in the presence of Christ. How has God been acting and where is God calling me now in view of what has been going on in my life?
The section of Acts of the Apostles which we read today, includes a history of the people of Isreal with the intent of seeing God acting in it and preparing for the coming of Christ. We could probably do a review of our personal history in the same way--with a view to seeing how God has been providing for us and preparing us for this moment from the very beginning. This would be a good exercise for discernment--a survey of all the moments of my life, in the presence of Christ. How has God been acting and where is God calling me now in view of what has been going on in my life?
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Sheep
The shepherd knows the name of each of his sheep and the sheep know the voice of the shepherd. Works out very neatly. This moving gospel story appeals to me. It sets up such a fine and effective relationship--like the depth of love that contributes so completely to the wellbeing of each of those involved.
Don't we all long to have someone know us and love us for who we are--as the theme song from "Cheers" imples? It captured something so true. And here we are with a gospel story that says there is someone who knows our name--knows us to the depth of our being--and loves us so much that we can hear the care he has when he speaks our name. If we could only trust him, as sheep trust the one who faithfully feeds them. All day I have been relishing the thought that I am loved and cared for by this good shepherd. And all day I have been wishing I could clearly hear that voice calling me and that I would have the courage to respond with complete love and selflessness.
Two things essential for discernment are knowing that we are loved and trusting the one who calls. Without those we would be too fearful to listen and to respond. Prayer will help us grow in both these essentials.
The shepherd knows the name of each of his sheep and the sheep know the voice of the shepherd. Works out very neatly. This moving gospel story appeals to me. It sets up such a fine and effective relationship--like the depth of love that contributes so completely to the wellbeing of each of those involved.
Don't we all long to have someone know us and love us for who we are--as the theme song from "Cheers" imples? It captured something so true. And here we are with a gospel story that says there is someone who knows our name--knows us to the depth of our being--and loves us so much that we can hear the care he has when he speaks our name. If we could only trust him, as sheep trust the one who faithfully feeds them. All day I have been relishing the thought that I am loved and cared for by this good shepherd. And all day I have been wishing I could clearly hear that voice calling me and that I would have the courage to respond with complete love and selflessness.
Two things essential for discernment are knowing that we are loved and trusting the one who calls. Without those we would be too fearful to listen and to respond. Prayer will help us grow in both these essentials.
Tuesday, April 08, 2008
Still Asking for a Sign
Now I can really identify with the people who are speaking with Jesus in the gospel. He told them in yesterday's gospel that they seek him not because they saw the sign but because they ate the bread and were filled.
If they saw Jesus multiply the loaves what sign did they not see? Yesterday, I reflected on the signs I ask for when I want to be assured of God's love for me or that I am on the right path. Today, I am aware of how much I do not see and how much I continue to ask for the same sign over and over. The people who saw Jesus mulitply the loaves and who ate their fill, now ask Jesus again for a sign. The sign they ask for is one like the one Moses did in the desert when they had bread miraculously and ate their fill. Isn't that the sign they just saw? How come they don't see it?
I keep asking to be fed in various ways. I am like this crowd of people. Jesus tells them that he is the bread. That doesn't seem to be enough for them or for me. Jesus says that if they accept him and eat this bread they will never be hungry again. Now that would be a sign--never to hunger again. I claim to believe in Jesus, I receive Jesus in the Eucharist. But I am always hungering for more evidence that I am loved. Obviously I do not really see the sign.
Today, I want to be aware of all the hungers that haunt me and keep me from seeing that Jesus is present in my life and that there is no need to long for any other sign.
Now I can really identify with the people who are speaking with Jesus in the gospel. He told them in yesterday's gospel that they seek him not because they saw the sign but because they ate the bread and were filled.
If they saw Jesus multiply the loaves what sign did they not see? Yesterday, I reflected on the signs I ask for when I want to be assured of God's love for me or that I am on the right path. Today, I am aware of how much I do not see and how much I continue to ask for the same sign over and over. The people who saw Jesus mulitply the loaves and who ate their fill, now ask Jesus again for a sign. The sign they ask for is one like the one Moses did in the desert when they had bread miraculously and ate their fill. Isn't that the sign they just saw? How come they don't see it?
I keep asking to be fed in various ways. I am like this crowd of people. Jesus tells them that he is the bread. That doesn't seem to be enough for them or for me. Jesus says that if they accept him and eat this bread they will never be hungry again. Now that would be a sign--never to hunger again. I claim to believe in Jesus, I receive Jesus in the Eucharist. But I am always hungering for more evidence that I am loved. Obviously I do not really see the sign.
Today, I want to be aware of all the hungers that haunt me and keep me from seeing that Jesus is present in my life and that there is no need to long for any other sign.
Monday, April 07, 2008
Signs
Jesus told the people who found him after he multiplied the loaves and fed them that they sought him not because they saw the sign but because they ate and were filled. I have been thinking about what it means to see the sign. They saw him multiply the loaves. They knew that they were fed. What else were they supposed to see? What am I supposed to be seeing?
I do seek signs all the time. I want to have confirmation of the fact that God loves me and that I am on the right path and that the choice I am considering at any moment is the right one. But I think what I am looking for is seeing multiplications and being filled. A good reflection for the day might be to ponder whether, without the bread and the being filled, I can know that God is present and that the power of God's love and fidelity fills the earth. Can I have faith and trust in the midst of what seems arid?
Of this I am sure--God provides the sign. What is lacking is the faith that sees the sign without the kind of rewards I often seek.
Jesus told the people who found him after he multiplied the loaves and fed them that they sought him not because they saw the sign but because they ate and were filled. I have been thinking about what it means to see the sign. They saw him multiply the loaves. They knew that they were fed. What else were they supposed to see? What am I supposed to be seeing?
I do seek signs all the time. I want to have confirmation of the fact that God loves me and that I am on the right path and that the choice I am considering at any moment is the right one. But I think what I am looking for is seeing multiplications and being filled. A good reflection for the day might be to ponder whether, without the bread and the being filled, I can know that God is present and that the power of God's love and fidelity fills the earth. Can I have faith and trust in the midst of what seems arid?
Of this I am sure--God provides the sign. What is lacking is the faith that sees the sign without the kind of rewards I often seek.
Sunday, April 06, 2008
On the Road
Two disceples are on the way to Emmaus and Jesus joins them. They are so disappointed about the happenings of the last days--Jesus' death, the empty tomb, etc.--that they do not recognize Jesus. Isn't that typical of our lives? We have so many concerns that we forget the scriptures that have spoken to us, the beliefs we have about life, the nurishment we receive from community and so many other things. We do not even recognize the guidance God sends in our everyday journeying.
Today, I asked myself what it would take to open my eyes. Have you ever had your eyes opened to the truth that was always before you? How did it happen?
The other thought I have is around "Were not our hearts burning within us when he spoke to us on the way?" There have indeed been times when the scriptures have spoken to me in a way that truly moved my heart. I think it is important to remember occasionally what those passages (or maybe it is events) were and to go back and recapture the moments.
God provides what we need to come to see and to love.
Two disceples are on the way to Emmaus and Jesus joins them. They are so disappointed about the happenings of the last days--Jesus' death, the empty tomb, etc.--that they do not recognize Jesus. Isn't that typical of our lives? We have so many concerns that we forget the scriptures that have spoken to us, the beliefs we have about life, the nurishment we receive from community and so many other things. We do not even recognize the guidance God sends in our everyday journeying.
Today, I asked myself what it would take to open my eyes. Have you ever had your eyes opened to the truth that was always before you? How did it happen?
The other thought I have is around "Were not our hearts burning within us when he spoke to us on the way?" There have indeed been times when the scriptures have spoken to me in a way that truly moved my heart. I think it is important to remember occasionally what those passages (or maybe it is events) were and to go back and recapture the moments.
God provides what we need to come to see and to love.
Friday, April 04, 2008
Two Dried Fish
Two dried fish (and five barley loaves) seem quite small when thousands need to be fed. But look at what can be done with small gifts that are given over to Jesus Christ. My reflections led me to think about discernment and the focus that sometimes happens in the midst of it--a focus on our own inadequacy or the smallness of our gifts. But if we hold back from following our call because we feel unworthy or inadequate, how will the crowds ever be fed?
There is a point in discernment of call when we stop looking at ourselves and look to God, when we generously offer whatever we have and know that God can use our smallness to do great things. We will not be the ones who ultimately produce the fruit alone. Focusing on ourselves at some point becomes self-centeredness and self-importance. It is not our gift that matters so much as God's power to use our gift.
The boy disappears quickly from the story. All eyes are on Jesus. But the boy did give over the fish and loaves. Without them the miracle would not have happened as it did.
Are you ready to give over your gifts and allow God to be you strength as you follow your call?
Two dried fish (and five barley loaves) seem quite small when thousands need to be fed. But look at what can be done with small gifts that are given over to Jesus Christ. My reflections led me to think about discernment and the focus that sometimes happens in the midst of it--a focus on our own inadequacy or the smallness of our gifts. But if we hold back from following our call because we feel unworthy or inadequate, how will the crowds ever be fed?
There is a point in discernment of call when we stop looking at ourselves and look to God, when we generously offer whatever we have and know that God can use our smallness to do great things. We will not be the ones who ultimately produce the fruit alone. Focusing on ourselves at some point becomes self-centeredness and self-importance. It is not our gift that matters so much as God's power to use our gift.
The boy disappears quickly from the story. All eyes are on Jesus. But the boy did give over the fish and loaves. Without them the miracle would not have happened as it did.
Are you ready to give over your gifts and allow God to be you strength as you follow your call?
Thursday, April 03, 2008
God's Abundant Gifts
Today's gospel had the phrase "He does not ration the spirit." That stays with me and encourages me. Sometimes I act as though God is stingy, holding back gifts, making demands in exchange. But God is truly not like me or other humans who hold back and expect recompense. Think of it--the fish that Peter and companions caught when they let down the net at Jesus' direction, the left overs when Jesus multiplied the loaves and fishes. Abundance is the characteristic of God's love for us--sending his son. And Jesus stays with us always in the Eucharist. Generosity even at a great cost.
Today I want to recognize God's gifts to me in the situations I meet and the people who come into my presence. I will try to see the gifts and be grateful. I also want to become more godlike--giving without expecting reward and without counting the cost.
I think that these attitudes are essential to discernment. It is essential to see how generous God has been and to be aware of the gifts we have received and the gift that we are. It is essential to be grateful and joyous. It is essential to trust that God's generosity will continue to grace us and help us live out our vocation. God will provide abundantly.
Today's gospel had the phrase "He does not ration the spirit." That stays with me and encourages me. Sometimes I act as though God is stingy, holding back gifts, making demands in exchange. But God is truly not like me or other humans who hold back and expect recompense. Think of it--the fish that Peter and companions caught when they let down the net at Jesus' direction, the left overs when Jesus multiplied the loaves and fishes. Abundance is the characteristic of God's love for us--sending his son. And Jesus stays with us always in the Eucharist. Generosity even at a great cost.
Today I want to recognize God's gifts to me in the situations I meet and the people who come into my presence. I will try to see the gifts and be grateful. I also want to become more godlike--giving without expecting reward and without counting the cost.
I think that these attitudes are essential to discernment. It is essential to see how generous God has been and to be aware of the gifts we have received and the gift that we are. It is essential to be grateful and joyous. It is essential to trust that God's generosity will continue to grace us and help us live out our vocation. God will provide abundantly.
Wednesday, April 02, 2008
Light
Christ is the light of the world, expelling all darkness. Today, I prayed with the gospel and asked Christ to bring light into the dark places of my heart and life. It is a challenge for me to be open enough to even recognize that some of my heart is full of darkness--jealousy, anger, disappointment, etc. Today it will be important to be honest with myself about my motives and movements in order to allow Christ access to the darkness. Christ will be my light.
Christ is the light of the world, expelling all darkness. Today, I prayed with the gospel and asked Christ to bring light into the dark places of my heart and life. It is a challenge for me to be open enough to even recognize that some of my heart is full of darkness--jealousy, anger, disappointment, etc. Today it will be important to be honest with myself about my motives and movements in order to allow Christ access to the darkness. Christ will be my light.
Tuesday, April 01, 2008
Fools
It is April Fools day and I am thinking of Paul's letter to the Corinthians. He was chastising those who claimed to be wise and pointing out that what looks like wisdom to the worldly wise is really foolish. What looks foolish to the world is the wisdom of Christ. For crucifixion certainly looks foolish.
So today I am thining about choices and whether at the heart of it all they are wise or foolish. Certainly the choice to follow the call of God to religious life, to consecration of the whole self to God, looks quite foolish. But it is as wise as planting the seed which seems to die so that new life can come forth.
Are you being called to something that looks foolish today?
It is April Fools day and I am thinking of Paul's letter to the Corinthians. He was chastising those who claimed to be wise and pointing out that what looks like wisdom to the worldly wise is really foolish. What looks foolish to the world is the wisdom of Christ. For crucifixion certainly looks foolish.
So today I am thining about choices and whether at the heart of it all they are wise or foolish. Certainly the choice to follow the call of God to religious life, to consecration of the whole self to God, looks quite foolish. But it is as wise as planting the seed which seems to die so that new life can come forth.
Are you being called to something that looks foolish today?
Monday, March 31, 2008
Mary and the Angel
Mary was visited by an angel which always helps in making a decision, I would think. I have never been visited in a way that is so obvious and maybe it wasn't so clear for Mary either. At any rate, angel or not, Mary said "yes" without knowing all that her "yes" would entail. And that is the heart of discernment--being will to risk following a call without being certain about all the particulars that will follow. Trust that God will provide.
"And then the angel left her." And so it was. Mary faced the life she embarked on with her "yes" without the visible support of that angel. That's the hard part--after the journey is begun to continue trusting and continue being faithful.
Mary was visited by an angel which always helps in making a decision, I would think. I have never been visited in a way that is so obvious and maybe it wasn't so clear for Mary either. At any rate, angel or not, Mary said "yes" without knowing all that her "yes" would entail. And that is the heart of discernment--being will to risk following a call without being certain about all the particulars that will follow. Trust that God will provide.
"And then the angel left her." And so it was. Mary faced the life she embarked on with her "yes" without the visible support of that angel. That's the hard part--after the journey is begun to continue trusting and continue being faithful.
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Locked Doors
My reflections today were on the locked doors that Jesus bypassed in order to be with the fearful disciples. I want to desire a closer union with God but fear what it may mean. Today, I want Jesus in his Divine Mercy, to enter into the locked doors of my heart and fill me with the knowledge of his love for me. I want Jesus to bypass my locked vision and allow me to see his love and mercy in all the people and events of the day.
My reflections today were on the locked doors that Jesus bypassed in order to be with the fearful disciples. I want to desire a closer union with God but fear what it may mean. Today, I want Jesus in his Divine Mercy, to enter into the locked doors of my heart and fill me with the knowledge of his love for me. I want Jesus to bypass my locked vision and allow me to see his love and mercy in all the people and events of the day.
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Acts of the Apostles
The readings from Acts of the Apostles are wonderful. I am always elated to hear of the power and the healing miracles of the disciples who experienced the Risen Christ present with them. Sometime I ask why we do not still see such wonders, why my faith does not bring the same kind of results. But then the gospel readings have been about the disciples who seem to be looking for Jesus in the wrong places--among the dead, in empty tombs. Maybe I am looking for the signs of Christ, risen and present in the wrond places. Today I will try to alert to the wonders of grace in the people and situations I meet.
The readings from Acts of the Apostles are wonderful. I am always elated to hear of the power and the healing miracles of the disciples who experienced the Risen Christ present with them. Sometime I ask why we do not still see such wonders, why my faith does not bring the same kind of results. But then the gospel readings have been about the disciples who seem to be looking for Jesus in the wrong places--among the dead, in empty tombs. Maybe I am looking for the signs of Christ, risen and present in the wrond places. Today I will try to alert to the wonders of grace in the people and situations I meet.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Easter Week is a favorite time for me. I love the readings from Acts of the Apostles with all the signs of the power and presence of Christ. I identify with the persons in the gospels too who are sometimes looking for Jesus in the wrong places--among the dead. I must admit that when I read about Peter and the other apostles working miracles, I ask the question of why we are not still able to work such wonders. There are many good things I desire and I want to be able to pray for them to happen and then to see them happen. Today I am trying to let go of the desire to produce what I want and to rest in the presence of the risen savior. I want to let that be enough.
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Today is Holy Saturday. Our morning prayer included a reading from "A Woman Wrapped in Silence." It stays with me. The image of Mary walking toward the temple and seeing a solitary cross on a hill. What must have her pain have been! Tramatic events are not easily forgotten. The remembrance of many details often come back into our imagination no matter how hard we try to move on.
The reading continues and speaks of a woman who knows that the cross is the "past" and the future lies ahead. She can continue to believe in the promises in spite of her pain. I am not always able to do that myself.
Today I await the courage to face life with the kind of hope that Mary had and I await as well the new life of Easter which I know lies ahead.
The reading continues and speaks of a woman who knows that the cross is the "past" and the future lies ahead. She can continue to believe in the promises in spite of her pain. I am not always able to do that myself.
Today I await the courage to face life with the kind of hope that Mary had and I await as well the new life of Easter which I know lies ahead.
Monday, October 15, 2007
Sunday's gospel was about ten lepers who were cured. Only one returned to give thanks. I have thought about this in terms of discernment. What role does gratitude play in discernment? Or maybe the question is, what role does awareness of the gifts I have received play?
We all have many gifts and receive many graces. But I, for one, take little time to reflect on the source of the many blessings in my life. I take things for granted. I am more aware of what I lack and more apt to be asking for help than recognizing what I have received. To look at call and where I am called to be by God, takes some awareness of where I have been and how I have gotten to where I am. The ten were made clean. The direction of all their lives was changed. But for one the direction of his life was changed in more profound ways than merely being able to rejoin the community and lead a normal life. For this one there was a new awareness of where his well-being came from. His heart was turned to gratitude. His outlook become more other centered.
Discernment involves being able to take my focus off of myself and my own inner workings. To listen to God's call, I need to look outside myself and also see what I have as gift. Gratitude is an outward movement that is essential to the process of discernment.
What gifts am I experiencing today for which I can express gratitude?
We all have many gifts and receive many graces. But I, for one, take little time to reflect on the source of the many blessings in my life. I take things for granted. I am more aware of what I lack and more apt to be asking for help than recognizing what I have received. To look at call and where I am called to be by God, takes some awareness of where I have been and how I have gotten to where I am. The ten were made clean. The direction of all their lives was changed. But for one the direction of his life was changed in more profound ways than merely being able to rejoin the community and lead a normal life. For this one there was a new awareness of where his well-being came from. His heart was turned to gratitude. His outlook become more other centered.
Discernment involves being able to take my focus off of myself and my own inner workings. To listen to God's call, I need to look outside myself and also see what I have as gift. Gratitude is an outward movement that is essential to the process of discernment.
What gifts am I experiencing today for which I can express gratitude?
Saturday, October 13, 2007
In today's gospel someone in the crowd says to Jesus, "Blessed is the womb that bore you." Jesus replies that blessing belongs to those who hear the Word of God and keep it. I have been thinking about what this all says about vocation and discernment. The vocation piece is somewhat obvious. Our vocation is to listen to the word of God and obey. Easy to say. But how?
Jesus is the Word of God and the essence of every vocation is in being a disciple of Jesus, obeying God as Jesus did. But how? And what does that mean in the concrete of my daily life? I like to think about my very being as a word that God is speaking. I am a word of God and God is right now speaking me. If Jesus is THE Word of God, then somewhere in Jesus is the limited word that I am. I am in Jesus. There is something about Jesus that I am to reveal in my life, in my actions, in the person I become through my decisions. So the first thing that is important in determining who I am to become as a word of God, is to be attentive daily to the scriptures, to listen and find out what it is about Jesus that is especially attractive, to hear how my being resonates with the life of Jesus. In that I will find my call.
When Jesus says that praise is due to the one who listens to God's word and heeds it, he is saying that the most important thing about Mary is her bringing the Word of God into the world. It is even more important than the physical birth of her child Jesus. And indeed, she listened to the messenger of God and said, "Yes." All of us can look back on our lives and see many accomplishments of which we are proud and worthy of praise. What is essential in our discernment is to see what in those events speaks to us of God. Do we hear a call in those accomplishments? Do they reveal something of God--of the Word of God and of ourselves as a word of God?
Reflecting on our life as containing a message from God is an important part of discernment. Where have I been? What have I been doing? Where is God in all of that? Do I see who am am called to become? How can I best become the word God speaks when God speaks me?
Jesus is the Word of God and the essence of every vocation is in being a disciple of Jesus, obeying God as Jesus did. But how? And what does that mean in the concrete of my daily life? I like to think about my very being as a word that God is speaking. I am a word of God and God is right now speaking me. If Jesus is THE Word of God, then somewhere in Jesus is the limited word that I am. I am in Jesus. There is something about Jesus that I am to reveal in my life, in my actions, in the person I become through my decisions. So the first thing that is important in determining who I am to become as a word of God, is to be attentive daily to the scriptures, to listen and find out what it is about Jesus that is especially attractive, to hear how my being resonates with the life of Jesus. In that I will find my call.
When Jesus says that praise is due to the one who listens to God's word and heeds it, he is saying that the most important thing about Mary is her bringing the Word of God into the world. It is even more important than the physical birth of her child Jesus. And indeed, she listened to the messenger of God and said, "Yes." All of us can look back on our lives and see many accomplishments of which we are proud and worthy of praise. What is essential in our discernment is to see what in those events speaks to us of God. Do we hear a call in those accomplishments? Do they reveal something of God--of the Word of God and of ourselves as a word of God?
Reflecting on our life as containing a message from God is an important part of discernment. Where have I been? What have I been doing? Where is God in all of that? Do I see who am am called to become? How can I best become the word God speaks when God speaks me?
Saturday, October 06, 2007
It continues to be very warm and not at all as October weather ought to be. I am trying to find the message in this unusually warm weather. God does speak to us in all that we encounter. What is God saying this October? I still remember a poem from a little book we used in elementary school when I was a child. I think it was the fourth grade book called "Voyages in English." It had a poem about autumn that captured the beauty of the falling leaves and the wonderful colors. So I expect that in October. Cool breezes, a fresh smell, wonderful colors, the sound of the leaves rustling down. I miss it.
Maybe the message is that beauty is to be found in what is given not what is expected. I wonder how often I try to box God in and tell God how things are supposed to be.
The message I am finding today is that God is bigger than my expectations and God's blessings are not necessarily what I think they are. This seems important for discernment. I look for answers from God and think I know how they will come. The answers are in the way the day is. We have to open our eyes.
Maybe the message is that beauty is to be found in what is given not what is expected. I wonder how often I try to box God in and tell God how things are supposed to be.
The message I am finding today is that God is bigger than my expectations and God's blessings are not necessarily what I think they are. This seems important for discernment. I look for answers from God and think I know how they will come. The answers are in the way the day is. We have to open our eyes.
Friday, August 17, 2007
Who is God?
One of the most important players in the discernment process is God. Of course. But who is God? Is God someone who has an blue print of what I should do, hides it from me and says "aha, you missed finding it so you will not get the reward."? If that is how I image God, I have a very hard time discerning. I know how I feel when a friend decides I should know what she wants when she doesn't tell me. You have probably had the experience of not doing what someone wants when they gave no indication of what they wanted and then had to deal with their anger that you did not do what they wanted. That is not who God is. God is more like the friend who loves you no matter what you do but is honest with you about your strengths and weaknesses. When we see God this way, we can relax while we are discerning. And that is a great benefit to the discernment process.
One of the most important players in the discernment process is God. Of course. But who is God? Is God someone who has an blue print of what I should do, hides it from me and says "aha, you missed finding it so you will not get the reward."? If that is how I image God, I have a very hard time discerning. I know how I feel when a friend decides I should know what she wants when she doesn't tell me. You have probably had the experience of not doing what someone wants when they gave no indication of what they wanted and then had to deal with their anger that you did not do what they wanted. That is not who God is. God is more like the friend who loves you no matter what you do but is honest with you about your strengths and weaknesses. When we see God this way, we can relax while we are discerning. And that is a great benefit to the discernment process.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
