Anxious? Not sure where Jesus wants you to go next?
That's how I've been feeling lately! SO many opportunities, fun things to pour into, but what is my priority? What should I be focusing on whole-heartedly? Or should I just say "Yes" to everything.
Well last night before I went to bed, I read another chapter out of the book "Practicing God's Presence: Brother Lawrence for Today's Reader". Let me share with you...
Brother Lawrence described for me the foundation of this faith:a lofty view of God and a lofty love of God. Once he recognized this, he rejected everything else on the spot so he could live, work, and breath for the love of God.
But he didn't beat himself up if he somehow got distracted and forgot to focus on God. Instead, he would just confess his miserable sin before the Lord and turn back to Him with more confidence than ever.
In fact, he said, the confidence we have in God pleases Him greatly and brings even more grace. God will never, ever deceive us, and He'll never let someone who is totally dedicated to Him - ready to go through anything - suffer too long..
Because Brother Lawrence had grown in his relationship with God and knew from experience how quickly God would help him, he didn't panic when he ran into temptations. Instead, he would call on God and at just the right time, and the temptation would disappear.
Knowing this, when he had a job to do, he didn't worry about it ahead of time. He knew that when he had to move forward, God would show him clearly what to do, just as clearly as if he were seeing his own face in the mirror. At this point, he'd been following this course for some time, never expecting any troubles or roadblocks. Earlier, though, he'd always worried about the future.
What's more, Brother Lawrence never second-guessed what he had alread done and almost never the things he was doing. Even after dinner he could hardly tell you what he had eaten. In his own simple way he just kept doing all for the love of God, always keeping himself in God's loving presence and thanking Him for along the way for guidance.
When anything distrated him from keeping his thoughts on God, the Lord would send a fresh reminder, enough to fill his soul with an overwhelming sense that He Himself was right there. This presence was so strong that Brother Lawrence couldn't keep it to himself - he would have to cry out, sing, and dance.
He said he felt closer to God during the everyday stuff of life than when he hunkered down in formal prayer times that often left him spiritually dry. But, he added, he wouldn't be surprised if he were hit by trials, maybe even serious enough to derail the sense of God's presence he had enjoyed for so long. Even if that happened, though, God's goodness assured him that the Lord would never abandon him. He knew God would always give him the strength to stand against any evil...
...Living by faith and giving up one's own will are the first steps of that path. Joy follows - a joy that can even be described. And when the road gets tough, we turn to Jesus, asking for the grace that makes the way straight once more.
Brother Lawrence said many people lose their way doing penance, trying to work off their sins. The obvious result: they forget about love, the real goal. That's why we dont' see much true moral excellence shining through from inside them.
In the end, said Brother Lawrence, it doesn't take skill or a high IQ to come to God - just a heart totally sold out to the Lord, devoted to Him alone.
Okay, so I know that's practically the whole chapter - but read it through and be blessed. I pray that Jesus would come near to you today. That you would hear his voice - and let him consume your mind and heart.
Love, B
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