Good Like a Medicine

I want to try something that I have done only a handful of times (and not very successfully, might I add), which is write a series on a particular topic. I shared the idea last night with my friend Emily on the phone, and we had a neat conversation about how we love when God uses these kinds of things to grow us more as we write, digest, and read what others write, too.

Originally I wanted to write a series during the month of March, but I am too excited to wait that long to begin. I will start it today with hopes that I will write five to ten posts in the series over the following weeks. I have great plans for what God will be teaching me and the joy He will be unfolding in my heart as I write these posts. I really want these lessons to change me and stick with me. Hear my prayer, O Lord.

Longing to Love Others With Newness

I want to post a series about what God has put on my heart; I only do not know what to title it. Perhaps “Loving thy Neighbor,” or “Being Still Enough to Love,” or “Loving Those God Has Placed Around Us.” Anyway this series is about truly, truly loving the people around us, slowing down enough to see what that looks like, and seeing God’s radiance shine as we extend His grace and joy to the people we rub shoulders with every day. It’s about loving those without from what is within. I am not teaching or preaching about this. I am exploring it in the form of my journal because it is something I am longing for with intensity in my heart.

Practicing the Presence of God

I believe it begins with the practice of listening to God, and begging His Spirit to be in our minds, hearts, and actions — to permeate everything we are, think, and do. Yes, buddhist friend, it is emptying the mind… but not quite like you do. It is emptying the mind of “self” and making way for the filling up of God’s intentions, God’s thoughts, God’s love for Himself (Oh, yes! Himself!), and grace through His Son to others. Oh, to be a Christian is to know authentic excitement and joy.

Here is something I read earlier today about practicing the presence of God by Brother Lawrence. It is an imploring and profound correspondence he had with a friend:

You need not cry very loud. He is nearer to us than we are aware. We do not always have to be in church to be with God. We may make an oratory of our heart so we can, from time to time, retire to converse with Him in meekness, humility, and love. Every one is capable of such familiar conversation with God; some more, some less. He knows what we can do.

Let us begin then. Perhaps He expects but one generous resolution on our part. Have courage. We have but little time to live. You are nearly sixty-four, and I am almost eighty. Let us live and die with God. Sufferings will be sweet and pleasant while we are with Him. Without Him, the greatest pleasures will be a cruel punishment to us. May He be praised by all.

Gradually become accustomed to worship Him in this way; to beg His grace, to offer Him your heart from time to time; in the midst of your business, even every moment if you can. Do not always scrupulously confine yourself to certain rules or particular forms of devotion. Instead, act in faith with love and humility.

I am anxious to learn what God has in store for me to learn and truly begin loving other people like I never have. I want to dig into His Word, find the lessons hidden in treasures from the saints of the past, and admire some contemporary hearts ablaze for Jesus Christ. It is truly a sweet thought that I can gaze into the eyes of God and then look into the eyes of other people with love. I hope you will read and share this road with me in coming weeks.

(photo courtesy Cicero Fonseca)