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?
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