|
“The wound that marks us [in circumcision of the heart] also chastens the pride that seeks its own. Through grace, God pulls us to Godself, altering our tendency to rely on ourselves, and we come to cling ever more fervently to God. Through grace, our hearts are circumcised, altered, so that our desire is for God.”
*Amy Laura Hall, “The Law of Love,” in The Wesleyan Tradition, Ed. Paul W. Chilcote
. . .
How long I pushed you away.
In feelings of unworthiness to be loved,
I pushed away the One most worthy and desirous
to love.
Light my candle, again, long unlit,
Help me to believe in Love, again,
As I did before the losses
Separated me from that native, innocent, true vision of You.
Breathe upon the tiny Flame,until blazing
Your Light penetrates every cell of my being
with Grace, and Love draws to me,
a Love that expands my heart fearlessly, freely.
*Brian K. Wilcox
. . .
A Muslim tale speaks of Muhammad teaching in the desert, reciting from the Koran for spellbound listeners. A cat walked into the camp and to Muhammad. The cat went to sleep on the hem of the prophet’s exquisite robe.
The prophet was unaware of the cat, though he continued to speak for the rest of the day. The cat continued to find healing and warmth in the shadow of Muhammad.
At the end of the day, the audience returned to its tents. The prophet, finally seeing the cat asleep on his robe, took a knife and cut off the hem of his robe. This destroyed a beautiful robe, but the cat was left undisturbed in its slumber.
“A heartfelt compassion can move a person to strange acts of kindness. Love, after all, is the greatest power in the world.”
*Todd Outcalt, Candles in the Dark
. . .
Meditate on the following passage of Scripture:
“I have loved you with an everlasting love….” (see Jeremiah 31.3, ESV)
Do you ever resist a deeper communion with Grace? What does it mean to “abide in Christ,” not just “be with Christ?” What is Grace? What is the relationship between Grace and Love? Is Grace and Love the same Reality, or two aspects of the same Reality? Why do we, at times, resist Grace? Do you ever feel unworthy to receive Grace? Has religious teaching helped or hindered you in receiving Grace? How? Who models for you the freedom, spontaneity, and joy of Grace?
Prayer
Spirit of Love, do not just love me, do not just love through me; love me to accept your love for me, that such love received might turn outward to love others, not with a limited love shaped by my feelings of limitation, fear, and unworthiness, but a love Infinite in being and expression, flowing from your Being for all creation, equally and in total self-emptying, which is Fullness Itself. Grant me to enter the Mystery of such giving that gives all, and more, always. Amen.
OneLife Ministries is a pastoral outreach and nurture ministry of the First United Methodist Church, Fort Meade, FL. For Spiritual Direction, Pastoral Counseling, spiritual formation workshops, Christian meditation retreats, or more information about OneLife, write Rev. Dr. Brian K. Wilcox at briankwilcox@comcast.net.
|
