The most frequently asked question I have heard over the years as a pastor, is: “What is God’s will for my life?” Sometimes the concern is stated as a comment, rather than as a question, but it is equivalent: “I do not know what God is asking of me.”
Awareness of not knowing is an essential part of growth in the wisdom of humility. There is much about ourselves, about one another, about our planet, about reality, and most assuredly about what we call “God” that we do not know. Ignorance is part of our human condition—even though many pretend that they know the truth, have God figured out, and know exactly how to live their lives. I think that we all need to undergo considerable change and spiritual growth “to enter the Kingdom,” that is, to live in true and abiding union with God.
Even with our weaknesses, flaws, and ignorances, there is one resource available which truly “covers a multitude of sins.” There is one divine power available for any being who wants it, and will live it out. We call that power Love, or the Holy Spirit. The older word in English for Love was “charity,” from the Latin caritas, which is not the love of affection, or the love that is desire, or even friendship, but Love that wills to another all the good one wants for himself, or herself—and takes actions to benefit the other. Love works hard for others.
When we are troubled, or perplexed, or wonder how to live, or what God is asking of us, the simplest and most obvious answer is probably the best: learn to love one another “in sincerity and truth.” “Love [Charity] does no harm to a neighbor; therefore, love is the fulfilling of the Law.” “Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” These are precious and costly words by the Apostle Paul, who gave his life to bring us the Gospel.
Love as kindness, as telling the truth, as bearing with each other’s flaws, makes life much richer, more beautiful, more pleasant. Without love as self-giving, as kindness, who could endure “the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune,” to borrow Hamlet’s phrase. Love is not cheap or easy, but it is freely given by God’s presence to those who will live love truly.
God who loves each being for one’s own sake, to benefit each of us, fill our hearts and minds with your divine Presence, with the Spirit who lives by loving. When any of us strays from the path of genuine love, turn us back, and help us to renew our commitments to love, even those who may wish us harm. To love is to become like You in the modest measure granted to us as human beings.
Awareness of not knowing is an essential part of growth in the wisdom of humility. There is much about ourselves, about one another, about our planet, about reality, and most assuredly about what we call “God” that we do not know. Ignorance is part of our human condition—even though many pretend that they know the truth, have God figured out, and know exactly how to live their lives. I think that we all need to undergo considerable change and spiritual growth “to enter the Kingdom,” that is, to live in true and abiding union with God.
Even with our weaknesses, flaws, and ignorances, there is one resource available which truly “covers a multitude of sins.” There is one divine power available for any being who wants it, and will live it out. We call that power Love, or the Holy Spirit. The older word in English for Love was “charity,” from the Latin caritas, which is not the love of affection, or the love that is desire, or even friendship, but Love that wills to another all the good one wants for himself, or herself—and takes actions to benefit the other. Love works hard for others.
When we are troubled, or perplexed, or wonder how to live, or what God is asking of us, the simplest and most obvious answer is probably the best: learn to love one another “in sincerity and truth.” “Love [Charity] does no harm to a neighbor; therefore, love is the fulfilling of the Law.” “Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” These are precious and costly words by the Apostle Paul, who gave his life to bring us the Gospel.
Love as kindness, as telling the truth, as bearing with each other’s flaws, makes life much richer, more beautiful, more pleasant. Without love as self-giving, as kindness, who could endure “the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune,” to borrow Hamlet’s phrase. Love is not cheap or easy, but it is freely given by God’s presence to those who will live love truly.
God who loves each being for one’s own sake, to benefit each of us, fill our hearts and minds with your divine Presence, with the Spirit who lives by loving. When any of us strays from the path of genuine love, turn us back, and help us to renew our commitments to love, even those who may wish us harm. To love is to become like You in the modest measure granted to us as human beings.
