A Power in Life

In the gospel of John we read: If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me; whoever believes in me, let him drink. Streams of living water shall flow out from within (7:37-38).

Scripture makes it clear that living spirituality bears fruit, and not for us alone. If we are serious about our life of the spirit, if we attend to the Divine within, if we strive for the union between soul and body, we cannot help but spill out that love and life to others around us.

Such concepts dominated the early monastic life, the belief that the best thing you can do for the world was to change and transform yourself. That all goodness and conversion start in one's own heart. Such concepts gave great regard for a life of prayer, believing it the most powerful and fruitful force for the whole world.

Today, such concepts have fallen by the wayside. Activity has taken over prayer, and we do feel if we aren't doing something tangible, we are doing nothing.  As believers, it's hard to reconcile such belief with our own conviction that grace is lived out in transformation. Doing in not the whole of the spiritual life. It starts with being.

Every one of us can live in the spirit of the  monastics. Every one of us has access to meditation, reflection, Lectio Divina and contemplation. Never underestimate the good you can do by living your life of prayer and meditation. Believe in the power of prayer, the power of transformation, and you will come to realize that  living waters do flow from you into the world around you, enlightening, refreshing and encouraging.

Casting aside the Clouds

We read the the gospels that when John baptized Jesus in the Jordan, the heavens were opened...And a voice came from the heavens, saying, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased." (Mt 3:16-17)
 

So, what happened?  Something great is being revealed, and who is hearing it? More importantly, who is being changed by it?

How many times in our lives have similar wonderfully spiritual manifestations been made, with similar effect. It goes to show just how powerful we are. We can witness or experience, and yet still resist being moved.

If we only used that power to our advantage, what wonderful realities would break forth in our lives. Often our power is clouded by darkness that cast shadows of doubt, second-guessing, and fear. But shadows can be dispelled by reality. We have within ourselves an amazing ability to do nothing less than to effect change and to break patterns. Let's not let the opportunity slip pass us. Life is too short to miss out.

Power and Consequences

Choice. We make it every day, many times a day. It's the authority God gives to us, the free will that has real power and consequences. Yet, it is easy to let this slip, to fall back, to follow when we should counter, to agree when we should ponder, to ignore when we should take notice.

No major change in life will come from a life lived to the dictates of easy flow. Major change can only come from someone who regularly exercises choice. The more we confront our own issues, make the hard decisions, step out even when we are not sure, the greater our ability to move forward when life reaches that crucial point and we must do something or die. And I mean, die spiritually, cease to exercise rationally, lose our intuition and discernment. It means knowing when the trials you are suffering are telling you to change instead of accept, especially when such change will bring insecurity and an unknown future.

Each of us has to live by our decisions. So let's make it work toward our growth, let's keep it based on what is important in life, let's never surrender its power over to anyone else.

Power of God

Reading today psalm 91, I love the verses: You who dwell in the shelter of the Most High, who abide in the shadow of the Almighty, Say to the Lord, "My refuge and fortress, my God in whom I trust.

Such verses remind me of the power we have with God, a power I think we sometimes forget. Lately I've heard people blame the "devil" for the difficulties in their lives. Well, remember, the spirits come to "guard you in all your ways." If there are spirits out there, many more are out to help us than to destroy us.

What are spirits but vessels of God? And if God is within his spirits, just as he is within us mere mortals, can we not have the greatest trust? Why do we forget our strength and give in to fear?

Today is a good day to take up that trust and go forward. For psalm 91 says No evil shall befall you, no affliction come near your tent. For God comands the angels to guard you in all your ways.