What storms are you facing that you wish would calm? Are there waves of situations that fill you with terror? It’s only natural that when the trials and anxieties of life confront us the first reaction is fear.
For much of my life, my beauty was outwardly focused, concerned about the exterior, and the way I presented myself. Whether it be the latest fashion or an executive title at work. Not necessarily conscious of these behaviors, they were my path to my self-preservation of achievement and worth.
Our world seems to revel in chaos and destruction; our culture is laden with desire for money, power, and clout. It can be easy to lose sight of what is important when we are living in the eye of a cultural storm. But Saint Benedict, his life and The Rule can serve as a compass to point us in the right direction.
With the season of Lent almost upon us, how will you prepare? Lent is the desert season where we turn inward and allow ourselves to be purified. Will you ask for the Lord’s direction?
Is there anything standing in your way to living your best life? What about an irritating situation, a challenging person, an unwanted illness, or questions around your mortality. St. Oscar Romero says these situations can make a good examination of conscience as something that irritates me can actually be a call to my conversion.
I lift my soul to you God, please fill it with joy. Teach me your way, so I may walk in your truth. I praise you with all my heart and call your name forever. Your mercy to me has been great, and you save me from the depths of hell. (Psalm 86)
The law of the lord is perfect. It revives the soul. (Psalm 19) Lately, I am understanding that I need healing in my relationship with authority. It makes sense as, during most of my formative years, power or authority was used in a negative way, and I rarely had the benefit of unconditional love to shape my identity. I’m seeing how this skewed way of thinking has played into my persona of the quiet rebel. The one pointing within playing out in destructive patterns around eating and drinking too much without boundaries at times.
Reflections for contemplative living Art by Melanie @ Just Be-loved
The other day I was walking on campus, running late to a meeting. As I was rushing through a sea of people trying to get where they were going, I passed a gentleman who was looking at a map. I walked by and continued a few steps ahead, and then listened to my heart.