beWARM

Abide in me as I abide in you. ~ John 15:4

The Lenten 40, Day 6

It doesn’t take God too long to get down to the nitty gritty. I guess He thinks that, after all these days of feeling so comfortable in His presence, it’s time to give me a reality check.

He could have easily thrown me a few zingers, knocking me for a loop.  Rather, He ever so gently reminds me of where I need improvement.

And as He does so, I see those things I have tried to sweep into a corner.

I thought this Centering Prayer was to be all sweetness and light. But…I did commit to this undertaking…so I must heed God’s message.

Basically, He has shown me how I get caught up in my own orbit, spending time and energy fretting about the issues of the moment which take center stage, and putting Him in the background.

The words of Oswald Chambers hit home today:

We need to rely on the resurrection life of  Jesus much deeper down than we do, getting into the habit of steadily referring everything back to Him; instead of this we make our common-sense decisions and ask God to bless them.

If my vernacular revolves around living in alignment with the Lord, my energies and focus should always be in His direction.  And distress and dismay would fade into the distance, being replaced by hope and certainty.

Sounds easy enough – and yet, the challenge is continual.

In today’s time of centering prayer, Muyskens suggests the use of a word that says, “I open my heart to your love.”   With the gift of receiving God’s love comes the invitation to extend it to others.

Thank you Lord, for the gift of your attention. Help me to keep you as my primary focus.

Today’s Lectio: John 15:1-5

My Word – TRUE   My Phrase – Every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.