Beauty surrounds us, but we usually need to be walking in a garden to know it - Rumi
Last week I asked on whose side did you fight in the chaos of this world, on God’s or on Lucifer’s? No doubt everyone shouted “On God’s side, of course!” So the question then is how committed are you to serving in God’s army?
Let me put three scenarios to you. I will start by saying that some of you will be familiar with this approach, of course. However I make no apologies since it does no harm to look constantly at our level of commitment to God. Do you say as the rich young man said when he asked Jesus what he needed to do to follow Him; “Well, I would like to but I am very comfortable with the things I have around me. After all, I have worked hard all my life to get them and now I just want to enjoy what I have” There is a saying somewhere, that the road to Hell is paved with good intentions. Is this you? Do you trust God enough to believe that if you gave up all your material wealth He would still provide for you? In the second scenario you might feel that if you simply pray more often or increase your charitable contributions that will get you into God’s good books. Well, no doubt it will help but is it enough? Are you not simply trying to cut a deal with God? The third scenario is by far the most difficult since you say simply; “OK God I have no idea where you want me to go or what you want me to do but I leave it up to you. If you wish to take away everything I have, so be it. The most important thing is that I should do what you want.” As the Psalmist said so long ago: Not to us, Lord, not to us, but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness. (Psalm 115 NIV) I leave you with the prayer of Thomas Merton: My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you. And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road, though I may know nothing about it. Therefore will I trust you always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone.
3 Comments
Martin Howse
1/2/2016 01:07:57 pm
Let Go,
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Steve Givens
1/2/2016 04:17:53 pm
Or even a shorter thought from Fr. Mark Thibodeaux SJ: "Reaching out for God is reaching God." Just reach out and let God do the rest. We don't have to do it "right" or completely. Just start.
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Kathleen
3/2/2016 01:00:42 pm
Oh yes, He is with us! In all the twists and bends on this journey. . . He is there! Merton says it all. Thank you Peter. God bless.
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AuthorI am an Authorised Local Preacher in an Anglo Catholic parish church, in the Diocese of Essex UK Archives
February 2022
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