It's amazing how easily our journey toward God is interrupted. I mean temptation really gets in the way. There you are traveling at a really good pace, wind blowing gently against your face, bypassing things when all of a sudden something or someone interrupts your flow. Anger, Annoyance, Impatience, Disbelief, Amazement...
How can this be happening to me now? Okay, Okay. New lesson. New experience. Adjustment. Same journey different path. What was wrong with the other path? Why must I travel this one?
Here I am traveling at a much slower pace, the wind is harsh sometimes, and I'm not bypassing things like I used to. I notice others' pain. I see someone else's joy. I participate in life at this pace.
Journey Interrupted is God calling me to new life, God's way.
03 June 2009
28 May 2009
The Good and the Bad
"Our effort should be directed toward enlarging the area of good." Suzuki Roshi
When I read this quote I was struck by its simplicity and depth. Knowing that we are all sinners, our continued focus on the bad, only succeeds in keeping us down. Yet when we seek to know the good, we move past that which would keep us separate from others. As I enlarge the good in my life, I realize that I cannot focus on the bad. The issues of others and their effect on me lessens. The bad exists, yet it shouldn't be the goal to which I reach. I am called by God to push toward the good, toward the best part of me that reaches for the best part of you.
This push to enlarge the good forces me to check myself when I would judge another. It forces me to relinquish control, to breath in Peace and exhale chaos.
When I read this quote I was struck by its simplicity and depth. Knowing that we are all sinners, our continued focus on the bad, only succeeds in keeping us down. Yet when we seek to know the good, we move past that which would keep us separate from others. As I enlarge the good in my life, I realize that I cannot focus on the bad. The issues of others and their effect on me lessens. The bad exists, yet it shouldn't be the goal to which I reach. I am called by God to push toward the good, toward the best part of me that reaches for the best part of you.
This push to enlarge the good forces me to check myself when I would judge another. It forces me to relinquish control, to breath in Peace and exhale chaos.
01 May 2009
The Economy, God and Me
I was in class yesterday afternoon where we started talking about the economic situation in the United States. There were 3 of us in the dialogue: 1 from the US (me), 1 from Peru and 1 from Indonesia. Their perspective on the situation was really eye-opening for me. "This crisis for Americans is the way I've lived my entire life. So what's the big deal?"
I sat with that statement for quite some time, especially in light of the fact that my husband, the founder and director of a non-profit social service agency is really feeling the cuts being made everywhere. As people lose jobs and banks stop lending, social service agencies are among the first to be pushed out. As the rich realize that they'll be short a million or two, there's yet another child going without food, yet another family forced to live on the street, yet another teen caught in the trap of street to jail.
Is bill paying the worst that can happen? No. Is losing a job the worst that can happen? No. Worst than the current economic situation we face is the blighted condition of our faith. At risk is not the financial situation of the world. At risk is our souls. Placated for far too long on the fat of injustice and social ills, our souls have become wastelands -- toxic.
For my part I can no longer focus on my IRA, lack of savings, pay freeze or overdue mortgage. I must refocus on God and what God has asked me to do. Now is the time to witness my faith. Now is the time for us to join one to another and "devot[e] [ourselves] to the teaching of the apostles and to communal life, to the breaking of the bread and to the prayers." Acts 2:42
I sat with that statement for quite some time, especially in light of the fact that my husband, the founder and director of a non-profit social service agency is really feeling the cuts being made everywhere. As people lose jobs and banks stop lending, social service agencies are among the first to be pushed out. As the rich realize that they'll be short a million or two, there's yet another child going without food, yet another family forced to live on the street, yet another teen caught in the trap of street to jail.
Is bill paying the worst that can happen? No. Is losing a job the worst that can happen? No. Worst than the current economic situation we face is the blighted condition of our faith. At risk is not the financial situation of the world. At risk is our souls. Placated for far too long on the fat of injustice and social ills, our souls have become wastelands -- toxic.
For my part I can no longer focus on my IRA, lack of savings, pay freeze or overdue mortgage. I must refocus on God and what God has asked me to do. Now is the time to witness my faith. Now is the time for us to join one to another and "devot[e] [ourselves] to the teaching of the apostles and to communal life, to the breaking of the bread and to the prayers." Acts 2:42
18 April 2009
Be Brave Now
Late last night/early this morning I watched the pilot episode of the NBC series "Kings." The series is a modern day telling of 1,2 Kings focusing on the spiritual development of David. Anyway, David has attained heroic status after slaying "Goliath" -- the name of a military tank. While at his dying brother's side, David confesses that he is not a hero at all, but someone who was surrendering when things turned out in his favor. He continually exclaimed, "I wasn't brave at all." His brother's reply, "Be brave now."
As I contemplated that statement I was struck by the stance we must all take on in this world today. Today, chaos reigns king and we Christians, sisters and brothers of Jesus the Christ must "Be brave now." We must stand with feet firmly planted on the bedrock of God's Holy Word in order to withstand the rainstorm of bullets that attack us in the street and in our homes. We must "Be brave now" so that Christ's Peace is what comes to reign. We cannot allow circumstances, people and even our own doubts to be obstacles to the JOY of Resurrection.
"BE BRAVE NOW"
As I contemplated that statement I was struck by the stance we must all take on in this world today. Today, chaos reigns king and we Christians, sisters and brothers of Jesus the Christ must "Be brave now." We must stand with feet firmly planted on the bedrock of God's Holy Word in order to withstand the rainstorm of bullets that attack us in the street and in our homes. We must "Be brave now" so that Christ's Peace is what comes to reign. We cannot allow circumstances, people and even our own doubts to be obstacles to the JOY of Resurrection.
"BE BRAVE NOW"
16 April 2009
The Black Hole of Faith
Ever feel like you're going through the motions...all the things you do are so devoid of feeling that you wonder why you continue? I call that the Black Hole of Faith. It's when you believe in God in and through the routine. You know, the times when you just can't get your praise on; the times when you just can't find the good; the times when you're so confused and you can't hear a word from God. As a matter of fact, things are so silent, so dark, you realize you're in a black hole-- a place of nothingness. No motivation. No direction.
When you realize you are there, be still and know that God is there too.
When you realize you are there, be still and know that God is there too.
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