So often I am focused, active, moving. However, recently for about two weeks a deep sense of contentedness flowed over me. There was a tangible experience of belonging to God and being loved by God. As Julian of Norwich said "All is well and all manner of things shall be well".
Towards the end of that season I noticed a sense of complacency creeping up on me. A book came across my path - "The Attentive Life" - which follows much of the same theme as Bro Lawrence "Practicing the Presence".
The two themes have woven themselves into my life and are a rich, deep, delightful combination - content with where I am and whose I am yet expectantly alert and watchful for glimpses of the holy in everyday life. In a way my Centering practice is the same - sit and be content if nothing happens, yet being watchful for what God might be up to.
Bill Lewis
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Living into the Questions
Living into the Question(s)
As Parker Palmer writes in “Let Your Life Speak”: “The soul speaks its truth only under quiet, inviting, and trustworthy conditions.” So often with big questions in life I spend 90% of the discernment time wrestling with the “what ifs” rather than trying to listen to my deepest yearnings and the Holy Spirit then melding the two through listening prayer. One of my ongoing practices is learning to listen – to myself, to others and to God. When coupled with practicing the presence of God in all of life I experience a settled calm and assurance that all is well and all shall be well. For now these disciplines are key to growing into who I am in Christ.
These disciplines are also in a larger context for as I grow to a broader realization of who God is and the expansiveness of his love I am beginning to trust that God is able to take care of himself and doesn’t need me to argue or protect him. I can point out truth, as I understand and experience it, but the results are up to the interaction between other person and God. As I leave the results of my actions and words up to God I am moved to a place of freedom and humility. Freedom because I am only responsible for my part and not the results. Humility because no matter how wonderful or miraculous the results I cannot take credit (although I easily forget and slip into arrogance and pride).
Thus, as I focus on listening and practicing the presence of God, the questions that come up in life become opportunities to listen more intentionally without having a need to fix the answers in concrete.
As Parker Palmer writes in “Let Your Life Speak”: “The soul speaks its truth only under quiet, inviting, and trustworthy conditions.” So often with big questions in life I spend 90% of the discernment time wrestling with the “what ifs” rather than trying to listen to my deepest yearnings and the Holy Spirit then melding the two through listening prayer. One of my ongoing practices is learning to listen – to myself, to others and to God. When coupled with practicing the presence of God in all of life I experience a settled calm and assurance that all is well and all shall be well. For now these disciplines are key to growing into who I am in Christ.
These disciplines are also in a larger context for as I grow to a broader realization of who God is and the expansiveness of his love I am beginning to trust that God is able to take care of himself and doesn’t need me to argue or protect him. I can point out truth, as I understand and experience it, but the results are up to the interaction between other person and God. As I leave the results of my actions and words up to God I am moved to a place of freedom and humility. Freedom because I am only responsible for my part and not the results. Humility because no matter how wonderful or miraculous the results I cannot take credit (although I easily forget and slip into arrogance and pride).
Thus, as I focus on listening and practicing the presence of God, the questions that come up in life become opportunities to listen more intentionally without having a need to fix the answers in concrete.
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Discerning God's will
In He Leadeth Me, Ciszek writes: "God's will can be discerned by the fruits of the spirit it brings, that peace of soul and joy of heart are two such signs…the movements of God's grace must always be accepted and understood in virtue of the life of faith, because ultimately the truth of every mysterious action of His grace is discerned in the light of faith rather than by the powers of reason or intellect." (Page 30)
How do I discern God's will for my life? It seems to me that overall I am constatnly challenged to listen better as I discern God’s will for my life. up to now what has worked most effectively for me is a process. First there is a nudge that something or some direction is appropriate. This is an area that needs quiet attentiveness and often distractions interfere with my reception of God's message. Second, I test the concept against scripture. Third, I review past circumstances and activities of God in my life to see if the directon is consistent with what God has done or does this nudging build on previous guidance. If all of these line up I go through this same process with someone else listening to me and cheching to see if I am slipping into personal deception. If it might entail personal sacrifice or lifestyle change then my wife is the first person I test this with. Finally, I step out in obedience either by direct action or by preparation for the new endeavor. Depending on the situation this might take months or only moments.
How do you discern God's will for your life?
How do I discern God's will for my life? It seems to me that overall I am constatnly challenged to listen better as I discern God’s will for my life. up to now what has worked most effectively for me is a process. First there is a nudge that something or some direction is appropriate. This is an area that needs quiet attentiveness and often distractions interfere with my reception of God's message. Second, I test the concept against scripture. Third, I review past circumstances and activities of God in my life to see if the directon is consistent with what God has done or does this nudging build on previous guidance. If all of these line up I go through this same process with someone else listening to me and cheching to see if I am slipping into personal deception. If it might entail personal sacrifice or lifestyle change then my wife is the first person I test this with. Finally, I step out in obedience either by direct action or by preparation for the new endeavor. Depending on the situation this might take months or only moments.
How do you discern God's will for your life?
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Unique yet connected
This morning during centering some thoughts along the lines of defining boundaries drifted in. To enter into life we each are to nurture, respect and engage our unique individuality. At the same time we are to nurture, respect and engage others. The author, C.S. Lewis, wrote mainly to express foundational truths for Jesus followers but he specifically added that after the grand entry room of faith there were many smaller rooms. Those smaller rooms include Roman Catholics, Orthodox (various varieties), Presbyterians, Methodists, etc. Each of us then needs to find a smaller room that uniquely fits us and live into that area.
While there are important either/or areas of life, this may be a both/and. Somehow, at the same time each of us is unique, is part of larger groups, part of all of humanity and to some extent part of all creation. The example of breathing may be helpful. Working from the largest commonality - all of creation breathes the same atmosphere – plants, animals, humans. Within that framework all humans share the common function of breathing. Then there is the uniqueness of Jesus followers who recognize pneuma (breathe) as the Holy Spirit, one of the Trinitarian aspects of God. Then within that there are those who pay more attention to the gifts of the Holy Spirit such as Charismatics or Pentecostals.
As I continue to reflect on these three frameworks of humanity, I find that instead of initially arguing with someone’s perspective I can first of all clarify for myself which level of commonality they are engaging at that moment (Humanity, Jesus follower, theological uniqueness within the Jesus followers). I can then respond to the person with that in mind and not be as concerned about making sure they have all their jots and tittles correct. This frees me to engage with others where they are and to pursue my own unique calling within the scope and sphere of all of humanity.
While there are important either/or areas of life, this may be a both/and. Somehow, at the same time each of us is unique, is part of larger groups, part of all of humanity and to some extent part of all creation. The example of breathing may be helpful. Working from the largest commonality - all of creation breathes the same atmosphere – plants, animals, humans. Within that framework all humans share the common function of breathing. Then there is the uniqueness of Jesus followers who recognize pneuma (breathe) as the Holy Spirit, one of the Trinitarian aspects of God. Then within that there are those who pay more attention to the gifts of the Holy Spirit such as Charismatics or Pentecostals.
As I continue to reflect on these three frameworks of humanity, I find that instead of initially arguing with someone’s perspective I can first of all clarify for myself which level of commonality they are engaging at that moment (Humanity, Jesus follower, theological uniqueness within the Jesus followers). I can then respond to the person with that in mind and not be as concerned about making sure they have all their jots and tittles correct. This frees me to engage with others where they are and to pursue my own unique calling within the scope and sphere of all of humanity.
Friday, December 11, 2009
Relationship of silent prayer and suffering?
Relationship of silent prayer and suffering?
A question has continually come up in my reflections: Is major life change only precipitated by suffering or trauma? Is there another way?
For several years the followers of Jesus who stand out to me – both contemporary and those that walked the earth in the past – had major life traumas which led to a deeper walk with God. My personal major life transitions where I turned to God were precipitated by times where my framing story was shattered and I had to re-construct a new paradigm of what life is all about. Is suffering the only way to experience the depths of despair which interrupts my view of life long enough for God, who has been pursuing me all along, to catch up with me?
Over the last year I have begun sensing that there might be a different way towards a deep relationship with God. Could silent, listening prayer create some space in my busy thoughts and life for God’s Spirit to begin working in the interior of my life? While it would not be as dramatic as a physical injury, divorce or financial crisis, the gradual change might be as effective in making me more like Jesus.
There is always the danger that I am looking for an alternative to the cross. If Jesus could have found another way besides the cross to break the barriers that separate us from God he would have done so. Yet, even in the quiet of silent prayer there is, in some sense, a dying to self to allow the Holy Spirit to work in my deepest being. There is the choice to sit and “do” nothing, to set aside my agenda, to listen for what God wants to say and not what I want Him to say. In all of these there is a setting aside (dying) of self and opening to God.
Further Thoughts
Perhaps transformation comes, not from strength, but from vulnerability. The tragedy that shatters our life’s framing story leaves us highly vulnerable. In that space so many find God. In much the same way the practices of silence, solitude and listening prayer remove the thoughts and ideas that we use to create structure in our lives. Once these are removed we step into that place of vulnerability where God’s grace is invited to work in the depths of our being.
What’s your understanding and experience of suffering vs silence?
A question has continually come up in my reflections: Is major life change only precipitated by suffering or trauma? Is there another way?
For several years the followers of Jesus who stand out to me – both contemporary and those that walked the earth in the past – had major life traumas which led to a deeper walk with God. My personal major life transitions where I turned to God were precipitated by times where my framing story was shattered and I had to re-construct a new paradigm of what life is all about. Is suffering the only way to experience the depths of despair which interrupts my view of life long enough for God, who has been pursuing me all along, to catch up with me?
Over the last year I have begun sensing that there might be a different way towards a deep relationship with God. Could silent, listening prayer create some space in my busy thoughts and life for God’s Spirit to begin working in the interior of my life? While it would not be as dramatic as a physical injury, divorce or financial crisis, the gradual change might be as effective in making me more like Jesus.
There is always the danger that I am looking for an alternative to the cross. If Jesus could have found another way besides the cross to break the barriers that separate us from God he would have done so. Yet, even in the quiet of silent prayer there is, in some sense, a dying to self to allow the Holy Spirit to work in my deepest being. There is the choice to sit and “do” nothing, to set aside my agenda, to listen for what God wants to say and not what I want Him to say. In all of these there is a setting aside (dying) of self and opening to God.
Further Thoughts
Perhaps transformation comes, not from strength, but from vulnerability. The tragedy that shatters our life’s framing story leaves us highly vulnerable. In that space so many find God. In much the same way the practices of silence, solitude and listening prayer remove the thoughts and ideas that we use to create structure in our lives. Once these are removed we step into that place of vulnerability where God’s grace is invited to work in the depths of our being.
What’s your understanding and experience of suffering vs silence?
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