Ahead of the Game…

It seems that often, so much emphasis is placed on coming up with strategies to conquer whatever may be deemed as standing in the way of the accomplishment of goals. Yet, sometimes… actually all the time, the best way to prepare, is not to outright plan, but rather to develop an approach that is True, then trust… believe… and cling to it, come what may.

Remember, you are not to prepare your defense beforehand,
for I myself shall give you a wisdom in speaking
that all your adversaries will be powerless to resist or refute.
You will even be handed over by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends,
and they will put some of you to death.
You will be hated by all because of my name,
but not a hair on your head will be destroyed.
By your perseverance you will secure your lives. – Luke 21:14-19   

SunOfJustice

But for you who revere my name, there will arise
the sun of justice with its healing rays. – Malachi 3:20A

Blown by the Wind…

As the waves rose to the height of their ascent, each carried a line of mist as the force of the wind surfed across the top. Water and wind driving against each other, competing, wave after wave. Which would win? … As if only one could.

Be driven, not aimless, or as if by wind.
Be driven, not reckless… ruthless, or by tide.
Be driven, not fearful… anxious, or by mind.
Be driven by heart, soul, and Spirit combined.

WindBlown

Jesus said to the Pharisees:
“There was a rich man who dressed in purple garments and fine linen
and dined sumptuously each day.
And lying at his door was a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores,
who would gladly have eaten his fill of the scraps
that fell from the rich man’s table.
Dogs even used to come and lick his sores.
When the poor man died,
he was carried away by angels to the bosom of Abraham.
The rich man also died and was buried,
and from the netherworld, where he was in torment,
he raised his eyes and saw Abraham far off
and Lazarus at his side.
And he cried out, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me.
Send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue,
for I am suffering torment in these flames.’
Abraham replied,
‘My child, remember that you received
what was good during your lifetime
while Lazarus likewise received what was bad;
but now he is comforted here, whereas you are tormented.
Moreover, between us and you a great chasm is established
to prevent anyone from crossing who might wish to go
from our side to yours or from your side to ours.’
He said, ‘Then I beg you, father,
send him to my father’s house, for I have five brothers,
so that he may warn them,
lest they too come to this place of torment.’
But Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the prophets.
Let them listen to them.’
He said, ‘Oh no, father Abraham,
but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’
Then Abraham said, ‘If they will not listen to Moses and the prophets,
neither will they be persuaded if someone should rise from the dead.'” – Luke 16:19-31

Doing my best…

While at times perfection may seem to be beyond my senses or out of reach that is just illusion. Sometimes I need to remind myself, I am not perfect, nor can I be. The perfection my soul truly seeks, is already present, oftentimes existing quietly and unassumingly all around me, and even within me, despite my efforts.

Perfection… the beauty of the word of God—Love—from intention through fruition abundantly bestowing grace in every place it touches, that is everywhere, all the time.

The word of God is living and effective,
sharper than any two-edged sword,
penetrating even between soul and spirit, joints and marrow,
and able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart.
No creature is concealed from him,
but everything is naked and exposed to the eyes of him
to whom we must render an account. – Hebrews 4:12-13

Perfection… when we strive to be our best… as each of us were created to be, rather than when we strive to be the best.

DoingMyBest

Prayer and comfortable living are incompatible. – Teresa of Avila, The Way of Perfection