Ears, Eyes, and Heart

As a discipline, silence is great for teaching me about the nature of what I say and ultimately, the nature of my heart. It can open my ears.

beautyheaven

Really listening helps me to see and understand. Really seeing helps me to begin to care for others and what God is doing for them. Opened ears, opened eyes, opened heart.

I spend too much time calculating what to say instead of learning how to really listen to God and other people during conversations.

I guess I need healing, Jesus.

The Greater Part of Being Human

What is man that you are mindful of him?  (Psalm 8:4)

What is man?  Chemicals and molecules gathered together?  A body?  A brain?  These are the lesser parts.  These are  the tip of the iceberg.  These are the bare minimum of a human being.

What lies under the sea of body and brain. sweat and bone?  What is the greater part of man?  His spirit.  In this way, the psalmist answers his question, "You have made him a little lower than God."  God is spirit.  We are embodied spirits.  Like him in an amazing way.

But it seems today the lesser part of human beings is all that concerns us.  The desires and whims of our bodies rule us and our spirits lie fallow.  That is my concern.  I look for ways to cultivate and renew this spirit, making my body a servant rather than master.  The way has been made.  The way is in Jesus.

By a companionship that moves into oneness, Jesus becomes my guide, my brother, my food and water, my very life.  It is not just praising him, but living with him.  It is not just thinking him good, but thinking he's the smartest.  It is not just following him to see what he'll do, but becoming his apprentice for life.  Jesus teaches me what is man.  The greater part.  Heart, spirit, will, under God.

Lord, today I ask for a glimpse of the greater part of human beings so I might gain perspective on my life. Amen.

A Heart that Is Free

A heart that is free

is close companion

 of a peaceful soul.

speak4justice

A free heart is one

that is not attached to its own way

of doing things,

that does not become impatient

when things don't go its way.

A free heart

will surely enjoy spiritual consolations,

but is not dependent on them

and will, to the best of its ability,

accept troubles in their stead.

A free heart

is not so tied

to a schedule or a way of praying

that any change is upsetting

and a source of anxiety.

A free heart is not attached

to what is beyond its control.

A free heart prays to God

that his name be hallowed,

that his kingdom come,

that his will be done,

on earth as it is in heaven.

For if the name of God is hallowed,

if his kingdom is in us,

if his will is being done,

a free spirit need not concern itself

with anything else.

(From Set Your Heart Free: The Practical Spirituality of Frances de Sales, pp.95-97)