April 29th, 2020:Seeking Normalcy

 Blog: COVID-19: The 'New Normal' or the 'Old Disruption' — People ...

It has been five weeks since we last experience normalcy of life as we knew it. We are looking for that life to resume although some of us are apprehensive about what that is going to be like. The question we ask each other nowadays is how each other is doing with physical distancing. What have I been able to find helpful in coping with being physically away from families and friends?

My prayer life has taken a more reflective direction. I spend a lot of time asking God for wisdom in dealing with the post-pandemic time. It is not just for physical healing. It is for the restoration of hope. I personally believe that regardless of the doom and gloom of the news, God still has a great plan for all of us.

I decided to reread some of my old books on Spirituality. The kinds of books that guide me to examine my interior life more honestly. I read these books again because I know that in order to look forward to the future, I need to dig deeper into the presence and allow God to speak.

I become more aware of what I watch because I need to be more discerning in dealing with the many distractions that I don't need. I would rather spend time listening to people and ask God to reveal to me how He is at work in their lives.

I pay attention to the need to remain quiet in God's presence. It is the kind of silence that allows me to listen to the voice of God within my own heart. It is the moment to experience the needed oneness with God. It is the antidote for the restlessness of life.

I become more disciplined in my writing and these letters are part of it. It is how I process what is my mind, my heart, and my spirit. It is my opportunity to go to places that I would not go before. My simple prayer is that it brings comfort, assurance, and hope to those who read them.

"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." (Romans 12: 2)

Popular posts from this blog

Aug 31st, 2024: Confession

Image
Dealing with pain sometimes affects our ability and flexibility. A physiotherapist friend gave me a set of home exercises to help with that. They are simple yet intense at the same time. Dealing with our human brokenness sometimes affects our ability to see and hear God. Our commitment to spiritual disciplines must be at the core of our relationship with God. One of the disciplines I have been trying to embrace more fully is confession. It’s not just about recognizing where we have gone wrong; it’s about how we have chosen to live our lives independently from God. It’s about whether we truly want God to be part of our lives. The absence of meaningful confession will damage our freedom to experience intimacy with God. "Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy." - Proverbs 28:13
Read more

Sept 4th, 2024: Praying in Images

Image
It has been a rough few days. Living in immense pain does not allow us much energy to think about anything. I ended up praying in images, and not many words came out of my mouth. Most of the images were of people I know. God knew that I was praying for them as their faces came to my mind. I did not need to mention the circumstances or situations of their lives—He knows. My heart was at peace as I ended my days with these images. He will take care of my body, and I know this because I was able to get some sleep. Tomorrow is in His hands.
Read more

Oct 1st, 2022: Be With Those Who Suffer

Image
  Listening to a young woman who shared her experience of being raped repeatedly by a family member for over four years as a teenager made my heart ache. The man who did that was a leader of a church. He was imprisoned for seven months and released. He was her stepfather. Her mother chose to pick him over her after his release. Her life has changed forever. She had to go to a foster home. Her foster parents helped her with her restoration and her faith in God. Her supervisor at work asked me to see her because someone at work was inappropriate toward her. That triggered many emotions within her. I did not expect the story I heard from her. The meeting took longer than I thought, and it was toward the end of the day. She kept talking about her anger and the pain she felt when men treated her like a subject. I knew that the best I could do was to listen. She told me she had not been able to tell anyone as much as with me. God reminded me of the true calling of being a pas...
Read more