This really resonates with me. A few years back, as I went deeper along the contemplative path, I realized I felt this kind of tender pull toward something I couldn't name. I thought I would get "somewhere" and figure out what it was. But I've never arrived anywhere. Now I think I will just live with an endless, unsatisfied hunger. But there's something so sweet about it. And I do think I know now what that hunger is: a desire for God, ever more God.
The journey is the destination as I’ve heard several people say! It seems like every time I get the feeling I’ve arrived, another door is quickly presented to me, and I’m right back at beginner’s mind.
I too am going through a time of anticipation, I feel so many opportunities knocking and so many uncertainties. And yet it is in some ways a distraction from my own knocking at the door.
And I also am filled with a great yearning to be whatever God calls me to be, and to be that same person at home, in my family, and at church. AND out loud in the world, but I think it's okay to write in the present in full honesty and of the future you are hoping for, and adjust as you go along with total honesty as well.
We are never going to be able to entirely live what we preach, not any of us who are called to be "a royal priesthood". We can't lead anyone to Christ, yet we are called to be the "salt of the earth." I once had a preacher tell me, " You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink." So true.
But then he added, "But you can salt the oats 💁"
So I always try to think of that, that I just need to make people thirst, not do it perfectly. And it doesn't always have to be a very direct bible teaching, it's okay to simply create seekers. We should have the confidence to simply get people to ask good questions, and not worry so much about whether it leads them to be baptized--that is a plant that is a result of planting a small seed, and maybe someone else to do a little watering later, and someone further down the line to do a little pruning. We should have the total confidence that when they knock on the door we know who's on the other side.
This really resonates with me. A few years back, as I went deeper along the contemplative path, I realized I felt this kind of tender pull toward something I couldn't name. I thought I would get "somewhere" and figure out what it was. But I've never arrived anywhere. Now I think I will just live with an endless, unsatisfied hunger. But there's something so sweet about it. And I do think I know now what that hunger is: a desire for God, ever more God.
The journey is the destination as I’ve heard several people say! It seems like every time I get the feeling I’ve arrived, another door is quickly presented to me, and I’m right back at beginner’s mind.
I love this!!!
Thank you for your honesty.
I too am going through a time of anticipation, I feel so many opportunities knocking and so many uncertainties. And yet it is in some ways a distraction from my own knocking at the door.
And I also am filled with a great yearning to be whatever God calls me to be, and to be that same person at home, in my family, and at church. AND out loud in the world, but I think it's okay to write in the present in full honesty and of the future you are hoping for, and adjust as you go along with total honesty as well.
We are never going to be able to entirely live what we preach, not any of us who are called to be "a royal priesthood". We can't lead anyone to Christ, yet we are called to be the "salt of the earth." I once had a preacher tell me, " You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink." So true.
But then he added, "But you can salt the oats 💁"
So I always try to think of that, that I just need to make people thirst, not do it perfectly. And it doesn't always have to be a very direct bible teaching, it's okay to simply create seekers. We should have the confidence to simply get people to ask good questions, and not worry so much about whether it leads them to be baptized--that is a plant that is a result of planting a small seed, and maybe someone else to do a little watering later, and someone further down the line to do a little pruning. We should have the total confidence that when they knock on the door we know who's on the other side.
That is beautiful, Daniel. I'm always yearning...Here's something I thought you might enjoy. ALL HONOR IS TO OUR KING!
THE VAST SEA OF LIFE
Life is a series of experiences
Taking place in the vast sea of events,
Most of them surprising and unforeseen.
Yet as the waves merge one with another
Somehow those touches
Flow into loving embraces
Of hearts meeting with other hearts.
And the hidden tears
From deep within flow into
Tears of sorrows, but also tears of joy
And tears of astonishment and awe
Ever carrying the tapestry
Of the wonder of the Living Creator
THE LOVE of all loves!
The breakers seem to join in
Thirsty to express their swell of
Praises to God for His creation of their sea~~
Their ocean of life’s underwater mysteries and wonders
That causes our hearts to swell with astonishments
Over and over again…
For they cannot be fathomed!
And the creation continues to show the
VAST never ending fascinations
That truly give glory, honor, and praise to their
WONDROUS, AMAZING, AWE INSPIRING, CREATOR!
So it is with all the hidden wonders of the children of the Lord
And all their hearts feel the good pleasure of their Living God
And all the sea feels the good pleasure of their powerful Creator as well!!
And all we can do is bow in quiet reverence afresh
AND IN BREATHTAKING AWE…
BEHOLD HIM.