In the beginning when God created the heavens and earth, the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while the wind of God swept over the face of the waters. Then God said, ‘Let there be light’; and there was light. Genesis 1:1-3V
“Vade ad fotem” a Latin phrase investigative writers have been known to use to remind them to go back to source. In the beginning it was all made good. Like the wind we can get swept up in the moment in which we find ourselves. We begin to meander down a misguided path and soon feel lost. In our brokenness we can wander away from the truth. The truth our lives are based on. The truth of our purpose. The truth of who we are. The more we focus on the truth the more it stays with us. One of the ways that has always proved invaluable in my life is to return to the beginning where the truth began. Once I place at the forefront in my life the promise God made it becomes a lens to which I see clearly.
As we begin this new year of amazing possibilities and adventure it brings back to mind the importance of knowing how things began and its importance on the way we think, act and feel. It is always a time of renewal. God helps us flourish and prosper in ways that allow us to live full. In waywardness his ways are balm to soul. Many of us know the promises of God and live each day with an open heart. A heart open to heal and live each day to the full. However many have forgotten the promises God made in the beginning when all was void and God filled the world out of great love for us. After He created the world sin came into the world. He reminds us to follow Him in all things. God made a covenant and promise for all generations.
Scripture allows us to be open to sharing in God’s love for us. God promised he loves you unconditionally. Paul the apostle reminds us, For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present or the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Jesus Christ our Lord. The depths of this alone can cause one to shudder at all the times where we have fallen and chosen to remain on the ground when God wanted to pick us up and raise us up. Or we may have thought ourselves alone when in reality he walks will us in all times and awaits a relationship with each of us. He touches the lives of so many things in our midst that we can never comprehend the length and breath of his love. His ways are perfect, in suffering can be born union with God. In trial his saving grace can flourish. In joy we can find peace. This is living in wholeness.
When I was a child my Nona gifted me, a faith, hope and love gold charm I greatly treasured. At the time we lived by necessities in life. We had a love filled family, community and faith. I’d rub the charm between my fingers and love welled in me like a great waterfall. The source of all love was from God. His ways that drove our life. I attended a retreat a some time ago during which I had personal confession of contemplating my thankfulness and sins. God placed in my presence a kind and gentle pastor who wisely offered me a most beautiful meditation that remained with me, he said, “Face it, embrace it and fill it with grace.”. What a beautiful and surreal way to live. In moments of doubt we can put to mind God’s hope He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed. Deuteronomy 31:8 . In moments of feeling unworthy take strength in knowing that this may be the sweetest time to receive God’s amazing grace. Sometimes we allow power and wealth to fill the void and yet we yearn. Wherever we are in our life He is always waiting with open arms to welcome us home. The first will be the last and the last will be first Matthew 19:30. In a needy world God has perfect plans for each of us For I know the plans I have for you says the Lord, plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11. We are never alone if we walk with Him.
Catholic and Orthodox are a contemplative, meditative and prayerful people. It touches me deeply as I sit in a church pew and glance beyond to see a crowd of people with head bowed in silence and reverence. In the silence of the soul we can hear the way of Jesus. In the crowd is a mother quiet in prayer there I see mother Mary standing at the foot of the cross of Jesus, heartbroken as they crucify her only son but steadfast in God’s promise. There’s also a women intently praying, gazing at the cross beyond the altar in her I see Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane before his crucifixion putting all her trust in God. There is a man and woman with a heart yearning to forgive in them I see Jesus in a most pain filled moment of his crucifixion with eyes pointed to heaven asking God forgive them for they know not what they do. In another contemplation I imagine the Holy Spirit descending on a beautiful soul as it took place in the upper room with Mary and the Apostles. The heart that ponders night and day on the creator can know peace. One that places their trust and hope in Jesus can know deep joy. Our life can be unlike the flailing wind yet calm and secure when we ground our thoughts in God’s truth. Psalm 27 Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me. As I reflect on things in my work and life that may have been harmful to my well being I am filled with gratitude that in the midst of the fire my thoughts were steadfast in The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside still waters, he restores my soul. Psalm 23. These are the promises that offer us peace, hope and love.
We were created “in his image” and with great intention, I praise you for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Psalm 139. This can give us hope knowing we were created perfectly. If the mind dwindles and starts to dwell on things harmful in nature we can consciously place our mind on the truth. Allow God to reveal himself throughout the facets of your life. Then we can come to know and live the realm of unconditional love and sacrifice. Crosses can burden us or raise us up. We are free to choose to offer God our thoughts, sorrows, hopes and dreams. Or we can remain in the dark shadows meandering through the world constantly feeling a void. We can choose to venture through the meadows of peace and love. In our obedience to God’s will we can take risks he wants for us to grow our talents and gifts. God will work all things for good. Romans 8:28. We can be strengthened in the knowledge that, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13 these are the truths we can live and prosper with.
The depth of God’s promise is well beyond the scope of this blog. God’s story is the greatest love story we will ever have in our life. We are part of His family tree of life. Like any story if we only read a chapter we have a small view of the story and can miss out the on the climax and summit to receive God’s grace. One of my family’s most favourite story we have watched over 1000 times is Pride and Prejudice a story that weaves most intricately the ways in which one can cast aside love from pride and prejudice. The story begins with Mr. Darcy thinking she is tolerable but not handsome to tempt me and here we begin a journey of preconceived notions that in the end all changes. In a Merchant of Venice if you prick me do we not bleed can allow us to delve into one’s humanness to which we are all subject. Like a glass that awaits to filled with sweet nectar we grow in grace and knowledge when we ponder on the wholeness of the real story of our lives in its beginning, middle and end. In this we can come to live out the great love story. We can choose to live in God’s perfection he wants for us that supersedes our own. We can come to know the whole truth in the beginning of God’s plan where we were created in his image to his ultimate plan of salvation in belonging to Him. In this we can come to know our purpose of becoming saints in the great ending of God’s amazing story in which scripture tells us The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with all the saints. Amen.
This year will hold promise I encourage you to pray and ponder on the great promises God has made us. I encourage you to set your thoughts to increase faith in your life. Whether it be to pray, reflect or study let God’s love be the lens from which you see the world. May you be filled will joy, peace and love. May you seek the source in the way you are called. Silence the heart and be open to receive grace. God wants to share his promise with you.
Peace,
Claudia