May 2021 – Hearts Stirred Up For God

Every Face Tells an Important Story, a Gospel Story

The face says it all. We are made in the image and likeness of God. When we take the time to look at someone’s face, we see both God and our neighbor.

The smile, the wrinkles, the joy or sorrow in their eyes, the softness or the leather like look of their skin all tell a story. They tell the individual’s Gospel story.

To take a pause and look at one’s face gives us a chance to be mindful that God is in our neighbor. It gives us a chance to take a brief moment and have reverence for God. In someway, whether we know them or not, we know that God is working out a purpose He has given only to them.

When we take a pause, we cease to judge. Instead, in that moment we can find love and mercy because we love God. When we come back to the moment and end our pause, we may find ourselves more loving and compassionate. We may come out of it different knowing that even if they are doing wrong, they are loved by God and have a purpose that only they can achieve for God. Perhaps they got off course, but so did Saul. God has a way of using all for His good. He is the writer of all our Gospel stories. In the moment that we take a pause during the encounter with one who may have gone in the wrong direction, we may be reminded that while we must always defend truth and love, we also cannot forget that God has a plan and we cannot get in the way by becoming angry and judgmental. Those reactions only cause division. We can express our desire for the truth and love in these situations while, at the same time, loving the person because God loves them. We can trust we may be a part of their change of heart, but not necessarily the entire instrument used. We give our yes in the moment and give thanks to God for having been some part of that person‘s Gospel story whether we see it or not.

With every encounter, our faith is changed because our heart has changed. We have a new sentence to our Gospel story. We are now a little more like Jesus and we trust in someway the person we were with is changed also. In some way we have added something to their story as well. Once again we can take a pause and give reverence to God for the two hearts that are now slightly different than they were before. We are all connected because we are all one in the Body of Christ, but now our union with that person is a little deeper because in having an encounter with them, we’ve had an encounter with God because God is in our neighbor. Just as Moses’ face radiated (Ex 34:29-35) because he had spoken with the Lord, our face now radiates. We may not be aware, just as Moses wasn’t. Nevertheless, it does and because our Gospel stories have been added to, the world has been made a little better.

So much good can come out of taking a pause and looking at one’s face with reverence for God. It can take an insignificant moment and make our lives and the lives around us better. It can make the world a little better because in the brief pause of that moment, we can be reminded that we are the prayer.

Prayerfully Reflect on the Following:

“We know that all things work for the good for those who love God, who are called according to His purpose.” (Rom 8:28). This is true for us and our neighbor. It is true for those we like and those who rub us the wrong way.

Reflect on Exodus 34:29-35. Imagine what you must look like and what is seen in the spirit of those around you when you come out of prayer.

“God created mankind in His image; in the image of God He created them; male and female He created them.” (Gen 1:27). We can be in awe over the fact that God chose us all to be made in His image.

We strive “to preserve the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace: one body and one Spirit, as you were also called to the one hope of your call.” Ephesians 4:3-4

“As a body is one though it has many parts, and all the parts of the body, though many are one body, so also Christ. For in one spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free persons, and we were all given to drink of one spirit.” 1Corinthians 12:12-13

PUTTING ON THE ARMOR OF GOD HELPS US TO KNOW GOD’S WILL

Suit Up!

The Holy Spirit is the ultimate spiritual director and He gives us very useful direction in Ephesians when Paul tells us to put on the armor of God. It is direction that can regularly be used and is beneficial when we are trying to discern the will of God.

We are told to put on the belt of truth. This is of great value in trying to make a decision. It should always be taken out of our discernment toolbox to use. We are living in a time of information. We all have to be careful who we listen to. Because there is so much out there, we have the opportunity to really exercise this much-needed skill. Truth is not an option. The truth is not a conclusion we come up with based on emotions. Truth is hard-core facts and facts only. Emotions that help to form opinions cannot make something factual, but we can easily get caught up in the emotions and react as if they were facts. If we are going to exercise discernment for making decisions in our life, we must know the facts. People can say a lot of things, but where is the evidence that what is being said is factual? I think that social media is a great way to practice this skill. If we read enough and look to see if facts over emotions and opinions are written, it can become second nature in time. Suddenly we may find we are in the situation of having to say yes or no to an offer. Because of all we have practiced it will be second nature to ask what the facts are in the offer. In doing that, we would be looking for the truth, who is God. We would avoid hiding or ignoring the truth, which are actions that comes from the father of lies, because we are looking for factual truths and not feelings. That is just one tool we need to use in discernment. There are five more.

Paul says the next thing we need to do is put on the breastplate of righteousness. This breast plate covers our heart. It goes hand-in-hand with the belt of truth. Once we know what the truth is we can act righteously, which is always the loving thing to do. This piece of armor goes hand-in-hand with the belt of truth because you can easily think the right thing to do is the action that is surrounded by feelings. We could easily feel bad and fear not being fair to someone or ourselves and then find ourselves acting upon our feelings and not the truth. This is not a path we want to be on. Real love acts righteously even if it’s hard. Temptation to do otherwise is the wide and easy road. Often times in this world acting righteously will get us into uncomfortable situations, but we know we are never alone when we find ourselves being persecuted. In discerning, once we we have all the facts about any given situation, we must ask where the righteous path is.

Next we are to place our shoes on and run toward the Gospel of peace. In other words, is our choice going to bring about peace or chaos? God is the author of peace. The Gospel, among other things, is a message of peace. The enemies path always brings chaos. Try and look ahead to see what your decision will bring…peace or chaos. When our decision is final, we must also discern if we have peace. Being peaceful about a decision is a sign we have made the right one.

Next we have the helmet of salvation. Jesus died for our salvation. He is the head of the Body of Christ. Being mindful of that helmet is imperative. Jesus never made it about Himself. In our decisions, we need to look to see how they may affect God and neighbor. If we are single or married with a family, how does the potential new job offer glorify God? If we have a family, how does it affect them? Are we taking it out of greed? Does it use the gifts given to us to glorify God? Does it offer health insurance that is much needed for our family? You can know the truth, know that saying yes is righteous, but find that saying no is also righteous and more in line with the helmet of salvation when you weigh everything out. With the helmet of salvation, we may find that like Jesus, we must die to self and not try and save our lives.

Next we pick up the shield of faith. While this shield is always necessary, sometimes it is more prevalent when we know that what we are saying no to is more of a temptation than anything else. It seems exciting, but it has all the bells and whistle‘s of temptation on it. We know, for example, that we would love the new job. It would have prestige and more money that really isn’t needed, but we feel that this is what we’ve been working for. The excitement is great, but the timing is off and uprooting our family would cause major sorrow at this time. We know by taking it our happiness would be short-lived because it would be hard to have happiness while watching our family suffer. We need the shield of faith to know our decision is right. We need to know that all will be well. We need to know that when we lose our life, we will gain it. We need to know something better will come along… something that will not have the bells and whistle‘s of temptation on it.

Next we pick up our sword, which is the Word of God. Whatever the path is, courage is needed. God’s word gives us that. Even on the days when we make choices without even thinking, our discernment muscles are getting stronger day by day. We know this step is imperative. Having daily picked up the Word helps us when we find ourselves at an important cross road. The word of God comes to us before we even pick up the Bible. It is in our soul. It has formed us into the child of the Father and the spouse of the Son. We are one and it is His word that helps us to better recognize Him when the choices come.

Truth, righteousness, peace, being other oriented with the helmet of salvation, faith and God‘s word are the cornerstones of our lives that are held together with prayer. Find these six things surround them with prayer and you will find God and there is no better choice to be made than that. Of course, with all major decisions having help in discerning God’s will is always recommended. Things aren’t always so basic and cut and dry as with the examples given above. It can be difficult and take much time in certain cases. Seeking out help from a director is always advisable. However, if we practice putting on God’s armor on a regular basis, when the major decisions come along, we are already half way there to knowing God’s loving and peace-filled will.

Prayerfully reflect on:

Each piece of armor in Ephesians 6:10-18. How might you be able to practice using each piece of armor in your daily life? Is there a decision or conflict you are facing that putting on God’s armor may help you with?

God loves us so much that He gives us His armor to wear. How might knowing this help you in your relationship with God?

Paul reminds us to wrap all our lives in prayer. (Eph 6:18). Reflect on how wrapping our lives in prayer is wrapping our lives up in God and essential for our relationship and discernment.

EVERY MOUNTAIN WE CLIMB TRANSFORMS US TO BE MORE LIKE CHRIST

We are all mountain climbers!

Yes! Every day we awake and begin our journey towards God. Each journey is a journey within a bigger journey. The bigger journey is travelled so we can be with God in Heaven and all the little daily journeys are what get us there. Each journey begins at the base of a mountain and is complete when we reach the top. Some mountains are small and we can see the top before we even begin. Others are so big that the top is covered with fog. We have no idea how far or how long we must climb. The journey is a mystery set before us.

Some journeys are pleasant while others are not. Some unpleasant journeys seem inconsequential such as doing the dishes. The journey from dirty dishes to clean dishes put away is done without thought. It is a mountaintop we can clearly see. Other journeys, the ones covered in fog, can be very difficult such as nursing a loved one to health. We move with no idea as to when we will reach the peak. Whatever the size of the mountains are, however, they all have two things in common.

The first commonality is that we never experience them alone. Whether it’s a small mountain we must climb or a large mountain, the journey is always done with Jesus. (“Jesus took Peter, James, and John and led them up the high mountain apart by themselves.” Mark 9:2). We are never alone in it. (“Be determined and confident. Do not be afraid of them. Your God, the Lord himself, will be with you. He will not value or abandon you.” Deut 31:6)

The second commonality is that when we reach the mountaintop, if we are willing to take the time to notice, we can see Jesus and understand that we are united to Him. We are aware that the journey has transformed us. It is our transfiguration, so to speak. There is never a question that each journey changes us. If we take the time, we can be aware of it and experience God. The question is whether or not we take the time to notice.

When we have finished putting the clean dishes away and we are at the mountaintop do we look for Jesus? It wasn’t a hard climb. We didn’t need any consolation to get to the top, but God was there. He was there in the sacrifice made so you would have clean dishes to eat on. Neither you nor your family will have to run the risk of getting sick from bacteria. You cleared the way for all by accomplishing what needed to get done because you were proactive in keeping your family healthy and strong. You made a difference. You did it for Jesus and them. He is smiling. Whether you know it or not, each day that you are aware of your accomplishment done with Jesus, you will grow in virtue. You may not be aware of it, but you are slowly being transformed because even the little things shape us to be in conformity with God. As Brother Lawrence said, “God is in the pots and pans.”

With the higher mountains tops we often sense the presence of God. He sends us consolations. Sometimes they come in a tangible form such as someone who helps us carry our crosses. Sometimes they come in the form of “Godincidences”. Either way, when you take the time to notice you know you are not alone. When you reach the top of the mountain you can see God. He is in the health and recovery of your loved one, the success of the trial, the neighbor helping, the sunset that stirs your soul, the truth discovered, etc. You are in union with God and when you look at who you were in the beginning and who you are now you know you have been transformed. Perhaps your faith is stronger. Maybe you are more loving, more forgiving or more patient. In any event, you know you aren’t the same. You look a little more like Jesus and you know that in some way your heart has grown because “God is love.” (1John 4:8)

Each mountain helps us to grow and when we are daily aware of them, we can better handle the more difficult ones that we suddenly find we have to climb. We know that the higher mountain may appear, but we are not alone in the climb. We know we will be rewarded. We know the prize is Jesus. The climb is hard, but the reward makes it worth it for you, all who may be climbing with you and all you have taken with you in the depths of your heart. They are the ones you prayerfully offered each step of the climb for. It is for them that you were the prayer.

Prayerfully reflect on:

Each of the three scripture passages above. Talk to God about them.

Brother Lawrence reminds us that God is in all things and all things conform us to look like Jesus. Reflect on God even being in something so little as the pots and pans.

How might little daily mountains be transforming you to look more like Jesus? How does this help in your relationship with Him? With your neighbor?

If you were climbing a higher mountain recently, reflect on how you saw Jesus at its peak and how you may have changed to become more like Christ because of it. How has this helped in your relationship with God? With your neighbor?

If you are currently climbing a mountain, try and keep your heart open to seeing the love God is sending your way. At some point in the day, sit with God and speak to Him about seeing and experiencing His love. Give thanks for it. Let the realization of that love embrace you in the silence of your heart so it transforms you and lifts you up.

The Whispers of God are Good for the Soul

Sometimes God speaks the loudest in the whispers.

We embrace the undeniable “Godincidences”. We rest in the impressions of love that deeply penetrate our souls. We feel great joy when the lightbulb goes off with something we read in scripture because we sense the presence of God. There are times, of course, when we feel alone and dry. We aren’t going through any difficulty in life, but we just feel blah. We would love to sense the presence of God so that our souls would be enlivened, but as much as we long for it, we still come up dry. Those are the times that we would do well to listen for the whispers of God.

That is precisely what happened to me this week as I was praying on what to write about. I listened for the whisper of God that came in the form of a houseguest…my mother. It came in the form of sitting quietly on the couch at night before bed and just talking. It came in the dogs that were like Velcro to her, a type of companionship that can only come from a dog. Seeing her give the dogs water because she decided they were thirsty even though their water dish was full was a gentle whisper of God’s love.

When we push back from the table and observe our surroundings, we are better able to see those whispers. The key is becoming mindful of what is happening around us and listening not for what we can hear, but for what we cannot hear. The whispers of God can only be heard when we listen to the heart.

The people down the hall who are in conversation with smiles and laughter can be a whisper of love. The smiles on their face and the laughter from their lips shows they are enjoying each other. The conversation doesn’t matter. The joy that can be seen in the smiles and laughter is what can bring us in touch with God. No words or noise are needed. Seeing someone carrying a handful while the person next to them carries nothing can be seen as a whisper of God’s love. In the depths of your heart you can hear God saying, “Let me help you. I can carry it.” Watching a pet owner walk their dog is a whisper. They are friends and while the dog definitely gives unconditional love, the owners care is evident as he or she takes the time to walk their friend. It is a companionship. The noise of the details doesn’t matter. The soft whisper of love says it all if you take the time to listen.

On the days when stress is high, when you feel blah or when you are looking for God, take the time to block out the noise and listen to the whispers of the heart, which is where you will find God. Children playing, strangers talking, a neighbor cutting the grass… The list is endless because God’s love is endless and He is in all things. When we turn down the noise and listen to the heart of the doer we can hear the whisper of God’s love. We don’t need words. Actions are motivated by love and as long as we can perceive it as not being self-love, we will find the heart of the whispers of God’s love. It is a practice that is good for the soul and even when we feel the dryness of the desert, we can find the waters of love.

Prayerfully reflect on the following:

“Then the Lord passed by and sent a furious wind that split the hills and shattered the rocks— but the Lord was not in the wind. The wind stopped blowing, and then there was an earthquake—but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake there was a fire—but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire there was a soft whisper of a voice.” 1Kings 19 11–12

“Be still and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10

Who is God? “God is love.” 1John 4:8

Make it a practice each day this week to observe without the noise at least once a day. Talk to God about how you encountered His whispers of love. How has what you found helped in your personal relationship with God? How has it helped in your relationship with God in your neighbor?