Faithfulness to God

A Good Recipe…

There is a cooking show that I watch from time to time in which chefs compete against each other until one chef is left standing. Throughout each round of the show, there is commentary from the chefs providing an inside view on their thoughts as they compete. Now, it could be that more than one chef states something like this to the camera, but oftentimes, there will be one chef who is absolutely certain that his or her dish is the best and cannot be beat. Without fail, that chef is beat.

Therefore, whoever thinks he is standing secure should take care not to fall. – St. Paul

In the first letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians (chapter 10, verse 12), St. Paul is trying to call awareness to the age old danger of allowing oneself to be lifted too high. He is cautioning the people against falling into the trap of seeing themselves, or living, as though above the need for self-examination. He is pointing to the example of the past and saying, learn from it! Do not let history repeat itself.

St. Paul goes on to state that there will be trials, but that they will not be bigger than God, who will provide for, protect, and faithfully guide the faithful through them.

No trial has come to you but what is human. God is faithful and will not let you be tried beyond your strength; but with the trial he will also provide a way out, so that you may be able to bear it. – 1 Corinthians 10:13   

It is a great time of year to take, or make, the opportunity to reflect upon faithfulness. Not loyalty to any human person, organization, or structure, but God’s faithfulness to us and ours to God. To examine what it means to oneself as an individual, as part of a family or group, as part of a community, etc. and to invite God for insight on how to better live by it.

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Chance of a Lifetime…

Oftentimes the phrase, “chance of a lifetime” is used to refer to events that are typically beyond one’s every day, common experience. Words used to promote something as special, exciting, or perhaps unique and momentous. Around just about every kind of contest, there seems to be a chance of a lifetime. Sometimes, that chance needs to be earned, and other times it comes with taking a gamble or throwing one’s hat in the ring through any number of ways.

In the Book of the Prophet Jeremiah there is the “Call of Jeremiah” in chapter 1. It is written:

“The word of the LORD came to me:
Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
before you were born I dedicated you,
a prophet to the nations I appointed you.” – Jeremiah 1:4-5

Just like Jeremiah’s life, each and every life is ordained. Created and brought into existence with meaning and purpose. Extraordinarily more than one might possibly conceive.  

Many go to great lengths for the “chance of a lifetime.” However, life is not by chance… ever. The opportunity for life is actually there each and every day throughout one’s lifetime.

Choose Life. The opportunity is a gift, the possibilities limitless, and the blessing inherent.

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Go Bold…

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, and you, and all. That is what it means to be alive and to be created in the image of God. From creation, we are chosen, and as such anointed and blessed by God, and nothing, absolutely nothing, can diminish who we are created to be. There is still more, that same Love with which each of us is created seeks to lead the way, sanctifying each step along our path, and providing all that we might need, if only we take heed.

The Spirit of the Lord is a most miraculous Spirit! One which, when welcomed, embraced, and celebrated, makes the world, or at least pockets of it, a much better place for all. Perhaps even more remarkable, is the fact that whether or not one honors that Spirit, lives from it, disengages from it, or loses sight of it altogether, it remains at the ready, always wanting and wishing the best for and from each of us.

How do we receive this magnificent gift? How do we live out of it?

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, and you, and all, throughout each day for as long as we live, and more.

Dare to declare who you are. It is not far from the shores of silence to the boundaries of speech. The path is not long, but the way is deep. You must not only walk there, you must be prepared to leap. – Hildegard Von Bingen

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More than You and Me…

Any unity which does not have its origin in the multitudes is tyranny. – Blaise Pascal

It can be wonderful how a sense of togetherness can propel us to new heights. Unity bridges the gap, closing the chasm that can be created by differences of any kind. Oftentimes, the joy that accompanies unity helps in continuing on the path toward the wisdom and knowledge of what to let go of and how to rise above all that may stand in the way.

In the book, Confession, Leo Tolstoy wrote, “I understood, not with my intellect but with my whole being, that no theories of the rationality of existence or of progress could justify such an act; I realized that even if all the people in the world from the day of creation found this to be necessary according to whatever theory, I knew that it was not necessary and that it was wrong. Therefore, my judgments must be based-on what is right and necessary and not on what people say and do; I must judge not according to progress but according to my own heart.” This statement was written about an execution that the author had witnessed in the mid-1800s, but the insight it shares, is timeless.

Oftentimes, the intentions of those in charge or a group united in purpose can be mistaken for unity. However, unity is both powerful and healing in all directions, not just on one side. It is not the child of negotiation or compromise to reach agreement, but rather embodies a spirit of choosing right doing whatever that might entail. By oneself or in self-interest… without God, unity simply cannot be.

Standing together is fine, but standing in unity is best.

Jesus summoned the twelve and said to them,
“You know that those who are recognized as rulers over the Gentiles
lord it over them,
and their great ones make their authority over them felt.
But it shall not be so among you.
Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant;
whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all.
For the Son of Man did not come to be served
but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

– Mark 10:42-45

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Discovering the Path…

Upon reaching the other side of the bridge, a path of light appeared across the top of the water. Prior to that point, and from various other angles, there was no evidence of any such path. It was only through staying the course, while continuing to look around, that the reflection of light that was there all along could be seen as clear as day, creating a path where before there was none, or so it seemed.

“We are all faced with a series of great opportunities brilliantly disguised as impossible situations.” –Charles R. Swindoll

Each of us has unique characteristics. At times these qualities can surface in ways that may tempt us into being at odds with each other or seeing each other in lop-sided ways… as not having enough in common to make trying to work together and work through conflicts a worthwhile endeavor. It seems this is often the case in today’s world. However, in most cases, when both sides honestly strive to be united with God and each other, we are able to move into a position where the light shines and the path becomes abundantly clear.

A fish cannot drown in water,
A bird does not fall in air.
In the fire of creation,
gold does not vanish,
the fire brightens.
Each creature God made
must live in its own true nature,
how could I resist my nature,
that lives for oneness with God? – Mechthild of Magdeburg

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