Tuesday, October 17, 2006

Dearest God,

If the living presence of God is available, accessible every moment of each day and one is open to this presence, then it is to be expected that the Word of God will come to you. Some days this will be a word of encouragement, of hope. The light will shine. At others times it will be a word of challenge, a change that needs to be made, a wrong made right, a word of enlightenment to speak to the soul about priorities, loyalties, and the condition of the soul.

I have long desired to know the will of God for my life. I honestly and earnestly desire to hear God's voice, to listen to God's words. There are moments when His words are sweet like honey, His love is apparent. Other moments are filled with questions. Who are you? What is your desire? How do you want to live your life? What is important to you? The God of the Universe wants to know.

There are more challenging moments when God is able to unearth the ways of the soul. Some of these are hidden to the human mind. Others are on the tip of the tongue. Many are somewhere in between here.

When the word of challenge comes, it may come as a searing, hot iron, a sting or a pinch. It may bring up a situation where one needs to take a deeper look at one's own attitudes, actions, and desires. If one is always humble before God, then that one will remain close, doing regular checks of relationship, always asking God to lead and illuminate. If one is not aware, conscious always of one's own ways, then it can be easy to slip away, not far, but yet there can be movement away from the deepest longings of the heart. One can forget who is God and who is not.

A few days ago something crossed my mind about myself. Am I staying in the center of God's will? Do I remember that I am dependent on God? Do I know my place with God and others, my ministry and relationships? Do I think more highly than I ought about myself? Do I regard my whole self as God's own? Do I understand myself as a sacred design of God?

It is a delicate balance, this life with God and others. I can tip in almost any direction at any time, in any situation. That is when the Word of God comes as a challenge. Are you still mine, God may ask. I am momentarily stunned. This particular question causes me to step back, to reassess my situation. Am I?

The word of challenge, although it has a kick to it, serves to keep me where God wants me...close, as a friend, a child, a daughter. In those moments I see the answer to my prayer. God has checked in with me and I check out myself. There is always room for growth, transformation. An act of love has captured me once again.

You are my heart's deepest longing.
Each day I walk the human path.
Some days I am keenly aware
of what lines my path.
I stop, look, and listen.
I honor you as I stay in touch.
When my life takes unexpected twists and turns,
I may not be able,
nor interested,
nor quiet enough
to pause,
to take stock in the prized moment
given by God.
I may miss the spiritual landscape,
the beauties set forth.
I may get tangled up,
and fight my way out,
to rise again in the arms of God.
I long to hear your voice,
of hope, love, challenge,
and discernment.
It always comes to me
as words of life.
I recognize once again
the sacred partnership
we entered
and I am glad.

Love, Andrea