Was reflecting on God's call for us to be holy tonight - do we make ourselves holy by our choices and actions? If so, where does the inspiration for our choices to do good come from? If not, then what do we DO? How can we be holy, if we don't have to do anything?
After a bit of thinking and praying, I realised that both answers led to the same place.
Yes, we make ourselves holy by the way that we choose to live our life and the actions that we take. How do we know what is right? He tells us in various ways - through His word in the bible, through those around us. We must open our eyes, ears and heart to God, who speaks to us in many ways. He will shape us through the situations that He puts us in, through the example of those around us, and through our reading of His word.
But at the same time, the answer is also "no" - we cannot be holy simply in the life that we lead (on our own). We must open ourselves to allow God to work in our lives... we must make ourselves "passive" enough to allow God to shape us; to allow Him to be the driver in our life, to take us where He wills. In order to do this, we must let go and trust in Him.
What does this mean?
It means that there is a fine balance between taking action and being receptive. It is a fine line between "letting go" and letting God control our life, but also still being proactive enough to do what He asks of us, and living a full life. We must learn to listen for Him - His call is gentle and inviting, not a harsh gong that will hit us over the head. We must not spend our whole lives waiting for some "sign" that will tell us what to do and how to live our lives - instead, we must do the best that we can, pray along the way and listen out for His whispering His directions to us. This is His call for us to be holy.
Showing posts with label trust. Show all posts
Showing posts with label trust. Show all posts
Falling in Love with God
God loved you before you were born, and God will love you after you die. In Scripture God says, "I have loved you with an everlasting love." This is a very fundamental truth of your identity. This is who you are whether you feel it or not. You belong to God from eternity to eternity. Life is just a little opportunity for you during a few years to say, "I love you too." If you dare to believe that you are beloved before you are born, you may suddenly realise that your life is very, very special... This brief lifetime is my opportunity to receive love, deepen love, grow in love and give love. - Henri Nouwen (Finding My Way Home - Pathways to Life and the Spirit)
What a beautiful and touching way to look at our relationship with God! When I stop and pause to think about my purpose in life and why God put me here on this Earth, I think it can be defined by one simple yet powerful word - Love. Reaching out and serving others springs from a desire to share this deep love of God with those around me. Acts of kindness = acts of love. We were born to be lovers of Christ!
How does one "fall in love"? Like any good relationship, I believe there needs to be a strong sense of trust, courage and faith. A degree of self-abandonment. To let go and willingly take God from our Sunday day of obligation, and to allow him to propagate our core being - our total self! Only then is He the centre of our being... our sounding board for every decision, choice and action.
For me, it occured last year during a CGC retreat where we studied the first encylical letter by Pope Benedict XVI called "Deus Caritas Est" (Latin for "God is Love"). It was a turning point for me as during a heartfelt confession, I was challenged to jump off the cliff edge and proclaim with hand on heart... "JESUS, I TRUST IN YOU!".
Trust wholeheartedly in Yahweh, put no faith in your own perception; acknowledge him in ever course you take, and he will see that your paths are smooth" (Proverbs 3:5)
Just knowing that God will be there to catch me when I fall off that cliff gives me a sense of liberation. Freedom. I used to worry and stress a lot about what others think. Of how I will be perceived. Perhaps this was because I trusted God 80% of the time, but for 20% of the time I would doubt that he wasn't listening completely.
Our fears are what limit us.
Nouwen eloquently reflects the fullness of God's love... "In this world when you are chosen, you know that somebody else is not chosen. When you are the best, you know that somebody is not the best. When you win and receive a prize, you know there is somebody who lost. But this is not so in the heart of God. If you are chosen in the heart of God, you have eyes to see the chosenness of others. If the Love of God blesses you, you have the eyes to see the blessedness of others."
Now I can loosen up and smile! :) Because I know what God wants counts most... and he is always there to help and guide me along my own journey. We are all called to shine and dance freely with God!
So I challenge you to give your heart to God!
God truly loves me more than I love myself.
God desires my happiness.
God knows best how I'll be happy.
(Fr John Powell SJ)
PRAYER TO LOVE GOD ABOVE ALL THINGS
God, my Father, may I love You in all things and above all things. May I reach the joy which You have prepared for me in Heaven. Nothing is good that is against Your Will, and all that is good comes from Your Hand. Place in my heart a desire to please You and fill my mind with thoughts of Your Love, so that I may grow in Your Wisdom and enjoy Your Peace. Amen.
What a beautiful and touching way to look at our relationship with God! When I stop and pause to think about my purpose in life and why God put me here on this Earth, I think it can be defined by one simple yet powerful word - Love. Reaching out and serving others springs from a desire to share this deep love of God with those around me. Acts of kindness = acts of love. We were born to be lovers of Christ!
How does one "fall in love"? Like any good relationship, I believe there needs to be a strong sense of trust, courage and faith. A degree of self-abandonment. To let go and willingly take God from our Sunday day of obligation, and to allow him to propagate our core being - our total self! Only then is He the centre of our being... our sounding board for every decision, choice and action.
For me, it occured last year during a CGC retreat where we studied the first encylical letter by Pope Benedict XVI called "Deus Caritas Est" (Latin for "God is Love"). It was a turning point for me as during a heartfelt confession, I was challenged to jump off the cliff edge and proclaim with hand on heart... "JESUS, I TRUST IN YOU!".
Trust wholeheartedly in Yahweh, put no faith in your own perception; acknowledge him in ever course you take, and he will see that your paths are smooth" (Proverbs 3:5)
Just knowing that God will be there to catch me when I fall off that cliff gives me a sense of liberation. Freedom. I used to worry and stress a lot about what others think. Of how I will be perceived. Perhaps this was because I trusted God 80% of the time, but for 20% of the time I would doubt that he wasn't listening completely.
Our fears are what limit us.
Nouwen eloquently reflects the fullness of God's love... "In this world when you are chosen, you know that somebody else is not chosen. When you are the best, you know that somebody is not the best. When you win and receive a prize, you know there is somebody who lost. But this is not so in the heart of God. If you are chosen in the heart of God, you have eyes to see the chosenness of others. If the Love of God blesses you, you have the eyes to see the blessedness of others."
Now I can loosen up and smile! :) Because I know what God wants counts most... and he is always there to help and guide me along my own journey. We are all called to shine and dance freely with God!
So I challenge you to give your heart to God!
God truly loves me more than I love myself.
God desires my happiness.
God knows best how I'll be happy.
(Fr John Powell SJ)
PRAYER TO LOVE GOD ABOVE ALL THINGS
God, my Father, may I love You in all things and above all things. May I reach the joy which You have prepared for me in Heaven. Nothing is good that is against Your Will, and all that is good comes from Your Hand. Place in my heart a desire to please You and fill my mind with thoughts of Your Love, so that I may grow in Your Wisdom and enjoy Your Peace. Amen.
Labels:
courage,
God's love,
happiness,
heart,
Henri nouwen,
trust
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