It’s that time again! A little Caffeinated Randomness…
- Thanks again to everyone who commented and prayed that I would have a great retreat. It was absolutely wonderful! And if you missed my post on it you can check it out here
- So I’ve been putting off doing my philosophy reading (it hurts my head to think that much). And today I took my car into the shop, expecting it to take like 20 minutes, and it ended up taking 3 hours. And what was the only thing I had with me? That’s right. My philosophy book. God definitely has a sense of humor =)
- I’m like 20 pages away from finishing “Sex & The Marriage Covenant” (this one was a slow read, and like 400 pages) and I’m excited to get to start a new book! So many possibilities! I really want to read something on Jesus’ sacrifice on the Cross…
- I am ridiculously sore from my new workout regimen. Let’s hope discernment is less painful! (Read the post below this one if you’re confused). Open to any advice or suggestions!
Have a wonderful weekend!
So I just started a new work out routine and it is kicking my butt – like can’t finish all the reps my muscles are so exhausted kicking my butt. It’s my own fault for becoming so complacent with my exercising – it’s been a really long time since I pushed myself to the max (with the exception of hockey anyway). And it got me wondering if I’ve been doing that in my spiritual life too.
We all have those areas that we haven’t given completely over to God. The ones we probably don’t want to stop and examine at all, let alone closely. But in this life we’re either growing or dying – if we think we’re just maintaining the status quo, we’re likely overlooking the aspects of our relationship with God that are atrophying.
On the retreat this weekend I had a biggie come up that I didn’t want, and honestly still don’t want, to deal with. But I know I’m kidding myself to think that I can compartmentalize – as though one area where I’m closed off from God won’t start to affect the areas I’m open to Him. Besides, I think my priorities are a little confused if I’m willing to make the effort/take the pain that comes with a new exercise routine, but refuse to look at an issue in my life that is stopping me from reaching new levels in my relationship with God.
All that being said, here I go: no more ignoring religious life as a possible vocation. I’ve never been able to approach the issue objectively (for a lot of reasons I won’t bore you with) and really haven’t been willing to find out if that’s what God wants for me. It’s always just been: NO. For me this is going waaay out of my comfort zone, but I can’t see a way to continue growing in my relationship with God without at the very least attempting to address it.
No more hiding, no more laziness – it’s time to push past my normal boundaries. And whereas with my workout I’m on my own, thankfully here I’ll have the help of the Holy Spirit! So what about you? Anything you need to take on?
It’s so difficult to be in the world, without being of the world. There’s so much hardship involved in being a light of Christ amidst all of the darkness. But that is exactly what is so urgently needed!
The world needs people who will take hate, injustice and mockery and return it with love. Christians who in the midst of all the malice, greed and unfairness around them will by example show a better way to live. And God knows it’s not easy.
Then again, there is nothing in the life of Christ to suggest that a Christian life is going to be easy. I mean, honestly – if God, after the indignity of becoming man, is not only rejected by the very men He wishes to save, but is also put to death by them – do we really think as His followers that our lives are going to be easy?
But the harder the path, the more graces dispensed. And let’s think about this: difficulties in exchange for supernatural gifts from God through which you can make a difference for others – seems like a good trade, right? And it probably goes without saying, but the places it’s hardest to share Jesus’ love are the very places it is most needed!
God needs each and every one of us to be examples of His love. Since we all have different routines, different personalities, and touch different people, we each have a role that no one else in the world can play. Maybe for you that means returning lots of little acts of rudeness with kindness, or forgiving the friend/family member who hurt you, or volunteering at a food kitchen, or just acknowledging each person you meet throughout the day as an immortal soul worthy of at least a smile!
But whatever the case, one fact remains: the world is so broken and your light is so desperately needed. Share Jesus’ love through your example!
Oh my goodness, what an amazing retreat! Thank you to all of my fellow Caffeinated Randomness lovelies for your support and your prayers – they worked wonders for me this weekend!
There’s nothing quite like a retreat to refuel your batteries. Especially living in NYC, sometimes it feels like the world is just sucking the life and love right out of you. And it wasn’t until this weekend that I even realized how much I had let so many little things wear me down: the obnoxious drivers causing near accidents, the holding the door open without getting a thank you, etc.
But now…there’s just peace. I know the high of the retreat will eventually fade, but I feel centered in Jesus in a way I haven’t in a really, really long time. I feel back in that place where:
- I feel oddly connected to and loving towards total strangers
- Any annoyances or problems are actually welcomed because offering them up puts my focus on Jesus
- I just am rooted in the love of God
It’s a pretty amazing place to be, and I pray that everyone could be here (and further beyond!) in their lives. God has so much love for us and we spend most of our time closed off from receiving a lot of it.
I’ve been thinking a lot about the post I wrote about Peter’s love for Jesus vs. Jesus’ love for Peter, and I think I’ve mostly been like Peter in that Gospel story. Jesus has loved me and gently been pushing me to love Him back in the same way, but like Peter I’ve resisted. I’ve only been loving Him with a friendship-type love, and so wasn’t open to receiving his agape-type love. And what a difference there is between the two!
May we all be open to fully receiving the love of God! There’s nothing else in the world that compares.
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April 30, 2010 12:08 pm | 
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