#MyMassTakeaway - Draw near.
When something uncomfortable happens in our lives, we often have the fight, flight, or freeze reactions. We allow ourselves to be ruled by fear and anxiety.
But Moses set an astounding example of faith and courage.
Moses didn't try to put out the fire. He didn't run away. He didn't stand there shaking in his boots (or shepherd sandals or whatever). Instead, he looked that question in the eye. Something out of the ordinary was happening - something strange, unusual, uncomfortable, frightening - and Moses asked why.
It's okay to ask why.
When we draw nearer to our suffering instead of running away - then God can call us.
When we draw nearer, God can tell us his plan for us. He can give us direction and place our mission before us. He can help us move through the fear, and onward into a life of purpose and hope.
God let himself be known to Moses and sent him out into the world. But notice that Moses never received an explanation about why the fire didn't burn the bush. He simply received knowledge about God's presence in the phenomenon.
In the same way, we may not be able to connect the dots on our suffering. We may not understand the reasoning behind our trials in this life.
What we can do is open ourselves to seeing God's presence there. And when we recognize his presence, we can abandon ourselves to him, trusting in his plan. He knows the reasons behind all the good and bad in this world. He will use it and shape it for his purposes.
What uncomfortable things are happening in your life right now? What are you responding to in fear? What makes you want to fight, flight, or freeze?
Allow yourself to face that fear, draw nearer to that burning bush, and ask God: Why? Open your heart to his call and his plan for your life. 🌟Full reflection on the blog🌟
We each have a different capacity for love. Some of us are a thimble, some a cup, others a bucket.
Whatever capacity we have to love, we're called to love God with all of it. We will do that imperfectly in this life, but when we get to heaven, we'll love God with all of ourselves.
We can grow in our capacity for love in this life. By prayer, sacrifice, and acts of love for this life, our thimble can expand into a cup or a bucket or maybe even a whole bathtub!
Your CHARITY #VirtueChallenge - do something today to grow in capacity to love God. Deny yourself of some small earthly pleasure, to open your heart up to God more.
Make a sacrifice, say a prayer, meditate on God's love for you. Pray that God fills you with love for him.
Is there ever a moment when my children are not attached to me? They have such a strong connection to their Mama.
They are constantly hugging me, hanging on me, climbing all over me, wanting to be carried by me.
Their love for me runs deep. I swear they see me as a part of them. An extension of who they are. Twined up in their identity.
Do I love God like this? Do I see him as an integral part of who I am? Do I yearn to be with him, connected to him, touching him, held by him?
Love God with all your soul.
Your CHARITY #VirtueChallenge
- spend a few minutes meditating on your relationship to God as his beloved child. As him to pick you up, carry you, hug you, hold your hand. Let your love for him run deep down into your soul. Let him be twined up with your identity.
