Life sometimes seems kind of crazy doesn’t it? I get it. Many of my days seem to be a serious of tasks and events, one right after the other. And I frequently find myself looking ahead to my next task! While many days I feel I accomplished some good in the world (at least I like to believe that!), I often wonder if I am just too busy. Because after all, entering into God’s rest sounds rather spectacular!
So the question becomes, how do we enter into God’s rest in this busy world? I mean, is that even possible? Yes, I believe it is not only possible, I believe it can be easy. Jesus did tell us that his burden is light after all. However, while God is always near offering a helping hand, we must choose him and his way. God will never take away our free will. Let’s begin with a story about a little fish. You may remember our little fish – I’ve written about him a few times in previous reflections.
The Little Fish
Imagine a little fish swimming happily in the water. Every cell of the little fish is filled with this life giving water. For the little fish water means life and without water the little fish would die. Yet, the little fish is unaware of the great power within the water. While everything he needs to live a happy fish life is found in the water, there are also currents, undertows, and predators. Our little fish needs to remain aware of the currents and predators around him.
In many ways we are like the little fish, tenderly embraced in the living waters of our living God. We are immersed in his waters even when we are busy moving from task to task in our life. Like the little fish who can generally choose where to swim and which currents to follow, we too can choose where to swim and which currents to follow. In order to more fully move into God’s rest we must follow the currents leading to life and avoid the currents that lead to death. We must also avoid undertows and predators.
God’s Currents
So what are God’s currents? And how can we follow them? Well, like our little fish has an instinctive nature that leads him towards safe waters, we have within us an innate wisdom that leads to life. Every person on this planet was created in the image of an all loving God, and being created so, God placed in our hearts the desire to move towards him – to flow in his currents. We can think of his currents as the virtues. We are invited to bath in the cleansing, healing, life giving water of God. We are invited to immerse ourselves in his virtues.
However, opposing currents also exist. We can liken these to sins. While we strive to be good, sometimes a fierce current comes along and sweeps us away into predator infested waters. Think of the devil and his crew as the predators lurking about. Heck, sometimes a powerful undertow threatens to take our life! Yet, if by the grace of God we take note of his nearby current we are always invited to swim towards it. God’s guides are nearby also and they are more powerful than the predators!
Sometimes opposing currents of virtue and sin come together and a powerful whirlpool manifests! In life we find ourselves caught up in various whirlpools of virtue and sin. Switching currents can be hard – but worth it. Fortunately for us, God’s calming waters will lead us out of the storm and into his rest.
Piece of Cake – Right?
So this all sounds great. Stay away from the sin currents and stay with the virtue currents. I got it…easy-peasy? After all, it all makes sense. Sin bad, virtue good, just keep swimming towards God. However, how do we actually do that? I mean. Those sin currents are EVERYWHERE! However, things are not always as they appear. Our human vision, like the little fish, is limited. Luckily for us God sees all the currents. His currents are always near, inviting us in.
Advice From Saint Teresa of Avila
I have been studying Saint Teresa of Avila these last couple of weeks. What an amazing lady! In her writings she shared a spiritual jewel that jumped out to me. Practicing it will help those seeking God’s rest (like me!). In a nut shell, Saint Teresa says that we tend to look at others and see their sins rather easily. Like the scribes in today’s Gospel we practice judgement and condemnation. Yes, it is easy, almost instinctive, for us to take note of the sin in another’s life. True enough. The key is found in practicing a turn around.
All too frequently we don’t see our own sins. This leaves us vulnerable to any current taking us to who knows where! Saint Teresa had a rather simple solution for this, a solution that will lead us back to God’s currents and ultimately his rest. Her advice was this. When you observe someone engaging in sinful behavior then, instead of judging them (which often stems from pride by the way), practice the opposing virtue of the sin you see in them. For example, if you witness someone acting prideful then find opportunities to practice humility in your life.
By practicing this opposite virtue God’s currents become stronger. In turn, the ocean we all live in will adjust to accommodate the increase in Godly currents. Instead of an increase in global sin the earth’s currents will experience an increase in God’s virtuous currents. This will lead to real rest.
Jesus Revealed the Perfect Current
Jesus modeled for us what it looks like to surrender to the currents of virtue. We are all invited to follow him. In today’s Gospel we witness how his powerful currents heal the pain of sin. Further, we see how following the virtues leads to the freedom forgiveness offers. The paralytic and the four men who carried him undoubtedly swam in virtuous currents. The end result was a miracle.
Virtues and Their Opposing Sins.
I thought I would give you a little guide on virtues and their opposing sins to work with here. Enjoy!
- Humility – Pride
- Generosity – Greed
- Temperance – Gluttony
- Brotherly love – Envy
- Meekness – Anger
- Diligence – Sloth
- Chasity – Lust
Global Light for Christ (GLFC)
Our community, GLFC, is a group of sojourners supporting one another through prayer and love. If you are trying to more fully accept God’s invitation to live a more virtuous life than you are a perfect fit for our community! We are in this ocean thing together;-)
I want to thank all of you who post here. When I sit with your petitions, often in the Adoration Chapel at my parish, my heart is deeply touched when I feel both your pain and the love we hold for each other. Even though we are separated by space and time we are together in love. What a blessing we have in our community.
God bless all of you. See you next week Friday – Carolyn
If you would like to learn more about my work and my ministry I invite you to visit my website: CarolynBerghuis.com.
God the Father – hold us in your Fatherly love.
Sacred Heart of Jesus – heal us with your divine love.
God the Holy Spirit – immerse us in divine love.
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