When I began this Lenten Journey I offered a prayer given by Henry Nouwen.  In it he states, “I know that Lent is going to be a very hard time for me.  The choice for your way has to be made every moment of my life.  I have to choose thoughts that are your thoughts, words that are your words, and actions that are your actions.  There are no times or places without choices.  And I know how deeply I resist choosing you.”

I have been keenly aware of these words, keeping them at the forefront of my mind as I encounter the world on a daily basis.  Sometimes that world can be very hateful, spewing unnecessary demeaning words, taking actions meant on division and destruction.   We are such a divided people, in religious attitudes, political views, and so many other ways.  I tolerate political hatred and division but I don’t like it.  I feel I have no other choice but to tolerate, else I would spew my own anger which would not help matters.  But when it comes to the matters of Christian attitudes and actions, I cannot simply tolerate for to me it is my very life, my existence in every meaning of the word.  To choose words that are His words, thoughts that are His thoughts and actions that are His actions, requires of me, a dedicated prayer life.  I am not always successful.

These past weeks have been a struggle for me as I have encountered a heavier dose of adversity and I find my desire to choose “thoughts that are His thoughts” quite the challenge.  I have found my actions and words easier to control.  But I do not like that my thoughts have “a mind of their own”.

Through prayer I have been getting a sense of the direction I should be going.  Stepping over resentment is oh so difficult and is my greatest struggle at this time.  But if I am to continue on this journey, to continue to grow toward sanctification and to obey Christ, to be like Him, I must defeat this foe.

As Christ was enduring the mocking, the beatings, the long walk to Golgotha with the added burden of the weighted cross, (until lifted by Simon) what were His thoughts?  We know He humbled Himself; He did not strike back with words or actions.  What were His thoughts?   Very few words are spoken by Jesus as He hung in unimaginable pain; these are the most powerful, “Father, forgive them for they don’t know what they are doing.”  (Luke 23:34 NLT)

Forgiveness, then, is the answer?  Forgiveness even when the offender doesn’t seek it?  That would be Christ’s model.

Today I read from my devotional book these words from Henry Nouwen.  “God’s forgiveness is unconditional; it comes from a heart that does not demand anything for itself, a heart that is completely empty of self-seeking.  It is the divine forgiveness that I have to practice in my daily life.  It calls me to keep stepping over all my arguments that say forgiveness is unwise, unhealthy, and impractical.  It challenges me to step over all my needs for gratitude and compliments.  Finally, it demands of me that I step over that wounded part of my heart that feels hurt and wronged and that wants to stay in control and put a few conditions between me and the one whom I am asked to forgive.    This stepping over is the authentic discipline of forgiveness.”

When I have asked God to allow me to lead a Christ-like life, I expect the hard road.  Christ’s actions and words were not that of society, his thoughts were not his own, but those of His father.  If my heart is true in its desire then I will take the hard road and I will do so on my knees no matter how wounded they become.

God loves you!

The pursuit of happiness is a frivolous American affair which confuses fun with the greater life of finding joy in mind, body, and spirit.

Fun is often a market driven state of mind with little redeeming quality outside of the extreme state of the moment.  Though it should be a part of the enlightened state of joyful living it is often so obsessed over that it must be purchased and often in the form of a chemical alteration to the brain or other parts of the body.  It can lead to an obsessive and compulsive behavior attempting to maintain the heightened sense of excitement or pleasure.  It can and will be disrupted by most or all things which interfere with the pleasing moment or the perceived attainment of social, mental, financial or physical goals.

The enlightened state of joyful living begins with spirit and moves to mind and body.  If the mind and body are dysfunctional the spirit can carry the person who has found contentment.  In the Judeo-Christian tradition this state of joy filled spirit and living is found in the simultaneously devoted journey with and toward God.  In his/her God given faith the sojourner learns to desire the thoughts and ways of the Creator.   The power of well being grows from the experience that the Lord God will care for them even in the absolute worst situation.  This confidence of understanding does not depend on continuous pleasures but grows from the very troubles life does contain.

Because God is the ultimate source of life and healing the person does not depend upon purchased or exotic fun for fulfillment.  Instead the peace of a God centered life is enjoyed with moments of fun scattered throughout but not depended upon.  Life is celebrated because of the loving presence of God, not due to something purchased, perceived to have been earned, or social acclaim.

RD

What does it really mean to have faith?  We say we have it, yet do we live it in our daily lives?  There are some that do, yes.  But most often, I would have to say people lack faith.

Paul tells us in Hebrews 11:1 what faith is…”Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”

I’ve thought a lot about this particular verse in seeking to understand why it is that I continue to suffer from chronic pain.  It has caused me to think a lot about my hope and where it lies.  I do carry a lot of hope that one day I will be free from the daily suffering, but I’ve come to understand that it is not in the end result that we carry hope, but it is in the journey toward the end result that it abides.  And that journey of hope has brought me much gain.  The fulfillment of peace and the exuberance of joy are two of my greatest treasures.  But faith has become the essence of my Christian life.

In Mark 11:22-24, Jesus said, “Have faith in God.  I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him.  Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”

Faith that moves mountains.  Faith in yourself that you can move a mountain will not gain entry into the sea.  But faith that God will move the mountain for you will move it beyond the depths of the sea.

It is too often that we base our faith on the end result rather than the blessings we received during the journey.  It is then that we may begin to lose hope and life becomes a chore.

Where does your faith lie?  Does it rely on the outcome of daily life or is it found in the hope of your daily blessings?  Must you have proof of faith, if so, then it is not faith at all.

In my faith journey, I have refocused my hope.  It is not on the hope of the physical being, but it is hope in the spiritual.  For my physical self is dying just as is yours.  But what lies within my spiritual being is the promise of Jesus.  He has moved mountains for me.  My hope is that God allows me to use His strengths, gained through faith, to bring blessings upon another.  My hope is that my blessings flow into you and that you share them with another.  And God is faithful.  He has used me to reach out to others in ways I never thought possible; just as He uses others to bless me.  It has been and continues to be an awesome journey.  It is a journey of growing Christians.  Christians who find that hope lies in salvation and salvation is discovered in what we sow each and every day.

I have learned to stop staring at the mountain before me and to look for the space between the mountain and the sea.  It is there that I’ve discovered faith and where my hope lies so preciously.

Thank You Jesus for the faith, hope and love you’ve given me.
God Bless,

Tracie