Do you know your mission?
Does God ever have to remind us why we are here?
Is it possible that with all the distractions we sometimes forget our purpose?
Did you ever feel like you just wanted to stay in one place and feel no more pain through growth?
Have you ever said to yourself, “I have made it this is where God is so I must stay here?
“Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!” When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified. But Jesus came and touched them. “Get up,” he said. “Don’t be afraid.” When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus.” – Matthew 17:4-8
At times stagnation can set in spiritually and it is easy to get comfortable. The problem is that very few seeds grow unless they are pushing through something and that pain causes the strength that makes the tree stand in the harsh winds.
Spiritually stagnation happens when we stop growing. We have all the answers and the system we have works for us so why bother. Lets just sit down right here spiritually, build a temple around what we know and protect what we KNOW is right. After all we have seen the truth and that is what I believe- do you see how this separates people?
There is no need to love or extend yourself when you have all the answers. This is the perfect storm for a closed off person spiritually and for the person that is ready to fight for what they “know” is right. This tunes out God, others and everything God has yet to do through a person because they are unable to listen without judgment.
Look at what Peter wanted to do, “Lord it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters- one for you, one for Moses and one for Elij…” About this time a very loud voice rang out from a cloud, “This is my Son, whom I love; with Him I am well pleased. Listen to Him!”
This loud voice caused the disciples to fall face down on the ground terrified. Yeah I think I would do the same. But look at what Jesus did, “Jesus came and touched them, “Get up” He said, “don’t be afraid.”
Remember no matter what miracle you see around you, no matter how wonderful this moment is you and I still have things to learn, things to share and most importantly LOVE to Give Freely. When something helps you see and learn it is a good thing. Whatever “unsticks us” will grow a stronger lover and a more peaceful spirit. Perhaps this is why Paul said, “I have learned in whatever state I am therein to be content.”
Here is a meditation for the next time you find yourself face down on the ground.
Breathe in and say:
“Get up”
Breathe out and say:
“Don’t be afraid”
This is a beautiful lesson! Our spiritual blessings in Christ are wonderful, but that doesn’t mean it is easy or we get to stop at a place that we are really comfortable. It truly is a journey, but with God’s hand leading us the entire way.
Thank you Sister!
Yes comfort is the enemy of The Journey with Him! We could become comfortable in our knowledge or comfortable in where we are or in what we have – in any case it eliminates our need for Him and need to call out to Him. He wants to be “Abba” Father but we see Him as only Some remote Being that we don’t really need right here and right now!
Beautifully put, Bob. We really do not have time to waste building shrines. We need to build relationships based on the love of God. Take up your cross in no way implies comfort. Blessings, Brother.
Thank you sister! Amen!
I so appreciate you sharing – Yes a relationship with God was born on the cross and that same Love based relationship needs to be what we offer the world! They will NOT know us by our piety, temples or riches – They will know us BY OUR LOVE!