Simply Soul Searching

WEEK FOUR: REFRESHMENT

REVIVE

Romans 12:11 (NRSV)

Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord.

Has this happened to you? There have been times when I have attended a retreat, or enjoyed a restful vacation, or walked in nature, or experienced a meaningful study, worship or prayer time. I have this “mountaintop” moment and come away feeling fired up for God! I am ready to serve, filled with joy, close to God- and so alive in the Spirit!

But then the routine begins. Life becomes busy. I become distracted. Unexpected trials come. And soon, that feeling of euphoria and delight has diminished, now merely a memory of a wonderful moment. Paul’s words to us, “Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in the Spirit” feel less like an invitation and more like a burden. I miss that exuberant, thrilled, and expectant feeling. My faith becomes more of a boring background rather than an anticipated adventure.

Our word for today is Revive. Revive means to resuscitate or recover, but also means to revitalize and refresh. How might we keep our faith alive despite our everyday routines and obstacles? How do we revive our souls when the world has smothered them?

As we think about reviving, CPR (cardio-pulmonary resuscitation) may come to mind. To keep a dying person alive, the person administering the CPR is breathing for them. The helper’s breath is keeping the other alive. In the creation story, life began with God’s CPR:

…then the Lord God formed man from the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and the man became a living being. ~Genesis 2:7 (NRSV)

And then there is the breath or wind of the Spirit that moved through the disciples and now moves through us. Consider too, that when we are bored, our breathing slows and becomes shallower. What do we do? We yawn! This deep breath restores oxygen to our blood and helps energize us. These examples suggest that our souls and faith can be revitalized and revived by taking in deep breaths of God; breaths of the Spirit!

In fact, you may already know that the word, “enthusiasm” is derived from two Greek words, en and theos. Theos is the Greek word for God. Enthusiasm means, “full of God.” God’s breath, fully in us, creates our enthusiasm- our zeal!

So for our refreshment today we will be practicing a breath prayer. Today’s practice is shared by Rev. Betsey Heavner:*

Breath Prayer takes the continuous and mechanical motions of our breathing and incorporates words of prayer to create an act that is useful, especially whenever our normal prayer lives are interrupted. In fact, this prayer pattern offers remedies for our anxious minds and bodies on two fronts: we call upon God’s attention to our need, while at the same time, we calm our bodies with the rhythm of breathing.

WEEK FOUR: REFRESHMENT

REWIND

Romans 8:38-39

For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Today let’s offer that courtesy to us. What if we were to rewind our lives back to the beginning and replay them again? The story wouldn’t change, but could our perspective? Could we notice some things we hadn’t before?

I love watching our favorite movies a second (or third) time. When we do, I benefit in several ways. Knowing the ending gives more meaning to the rest of the story. I can see where the story line was leading, and how each character and scene contributed to its outcome. I notice more of the subtleties, nuances and back stories that hadn’t caught my attention before. I understand how supporting roles were important to the whole story. Often I see a character in a new light, now knowing how he or she will evolve. Insignificant moments are seen as significant. I know where the story is going, how it will end, and how the rest of the movie is the means to get us all there.

If we were to rewind and watch our lives in review all over again, we would be blessed in these same ways. Today I invite you to recall a few memorable moments in your life, whether or not they bring joy or sorrow. “Watch” these scenes again with a new vision, now as you know more of the rest of your story. Revisit these moments with the vision of God’s presence through all of them.

How did God’s presence make this moment a significant, teachable one for you? Did this moment bring you to a new understanding?

Can you see any ways in which this moment brought you to where you are today?

How might you envision a back story, a story of love, growth and faithfulness?

Are there any new meaningful revelations that seemed insignificant at the time?

When we rewind and watch our story again, our story doesn’t change. But our story does become rewritten as a loving lesson, a growth opportunity, a meaningful enrichment, a journey that makes more sense. Our story seems more worthwhile. The story doesn’t change, but we are better able to comprehend how God was always with us, “letting nothing separate us.” God was always at work… making good emerge, making sense of the incomprehensible, providing comfort, sharing our joy, and most of all, gracing all of our moments with love.

Please be kind (to yourself). Rewind.

God of our amazing life story,

When we look back on the moments of our lives, we do see your ever present love, guidance, healing, teaching, help and hope. We witness your amazing work in each day. When we remember moments- when we happen to rewind to a certain time- help us to see them in a new light, to see them with your love working in them. Thank you that we truly know that our ending will be a joyful one… and not an ending at all. Amen.

WEEK FOUR: REFRESHMENT

REVIEW

Psalm 139:1-6, 23-24 (NRSV)

O Lord, you have searched me and known me.
You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
    you discern my thoughts from far away.
You search out my path and my lying down,
    and are acquainted with all my ways.
Even before a word is on my tongue,
    O Lord, you know it completely.
You hem me in, behind and before,
    and lay your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
    it is so high that I cannot attain it.

Search me, O God, and know my heart;
    test me and know my thoughts.
See if there is any wicked way in me,
    and lead me in the way everlasting.

Well, here we are almost midway through Lent, but Easter is still a few weeks away. We are almost to the spring season, but gray, cold winter days still linger. This week I believe we could all use a little refreshment for our souls, don’t you? Each day’s devotion will be a time to take a mini-retreat and refresh ourselves in the Spirit.

When I studied Spiritual Foundations through the Dominican Center of Marywood, I learned of St. Ignatius Loyola and the Daily Examen. This beautiful practice will be our mini-retreat for today. The Daily Examen may be done as a review of our day at its close, or as a review of the previous day as we begin a new one. We ask God to guide our examen, as God knows our hearts better than we do.

Psalm 139 describes God’s help so beautifully. If you have time, I recommend reading the entire chapter! Even though the psalmist asks God to search and know his heart, we understand that God already has. The “search me” phrases become our invitation for God to reveal what we need to know, what God has found and known in us.

There is an abundance of information and beautiful resources about the Examen and other practices at  www.ignatianspirituality.com. Here is one version of our practice for today, the Examen:

“The Examen is a method of reviewing your day in the presence of God. It’s actually an attitude more than a method, a time set aside for thankful reflection on where God is in your everyday life. It has five steps, which most people take more or less in order, and it usually takes 15 to 20 minutes per day. Here it is in a nutshell:” 

1. Ask God for light. ~I want to look at my day with God’s eyes, not merely my own.
2. Give thanks.  ~The day I have just lived is a gift from God. Be grateful for it.
3. Review the day.  ~I carefully look back on the day just completed, being guided by the Holy Spirit.
4. Face your shortcomings.  ~I face up to what is wrong—in my life and in me.
5. Look toward the day to come.  ~I ask where I need God in the day to come.

(Version of the Examen from A Simple, Life-Changing Prayer by Jim Manney © Loyola Press)

May your time bless you with awareness of the gifts and graces of the day. May you feel God’s gentle, enlightening presence guiding your review. May you grow in love for the One who knows you even better than you know yourself- the One who unconditionally loves you even more than you love yourself.

All-knowing and searching God,

We know that you already know us completely. We know you have searched us thoroughly. Today we ask that you reveal anything and everything you would want us to know. We long to be perfectly obedient, fully loving, completely surrendered to you. Show us how. Amen.

WEEK THREE: RENOVATION

REBUILD

Romans 6:3-5 (NRSV)

Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? Therefore we have been buried with him by baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.

Today is our last day of renovation. Of the many renovation shows on television, Jim and I also like to watch, “Texas Flip and Move” occasionally. During each episode, renovators buy houses to move to a new location and restore for sale. More often than not, these homes are in such bad shape, or the layout is so impractical, that the renovators decide to take the houses down to the studs and basically rebuild from there. Of course, this takes much more work, but the end result is a new, practical, solid, efficient and lovely home! The house has been given new life, recreated in the vision and design of its renovator.

You know where this is going. Sometimes life takes us down to the studs, doesn’t it? We become undone, completely spent, feeling as if we have nothing left. Any number of events can do this to us. Poor decisions. Illness. Accident. Natural disaster. Broken relationships. Loss of career. Financial difficulty. Theft. Addiction. Unfulfilled dreams or promises. Sinful ways. We hit rock bottom… and no one wants to be there.

Eventually we come to understand, “Well, I guess there isn’t any choice except to rebuild from here.” And THIS becomes the magnificent moment when God can really go to work! There are no obstacles that God needs to work around, adapt to, make fit, or remove. God has been given a cleared floorplan and the freedom to create as only God can.

Knowing God as our rebuilder gives us new perspective for all of life. This passage from Romans provides the hope and the comfort we need to endure our rock bottom times. When we die to ourselves in our baptism, we are taken down to the studs. Our lives are no longer ours. But what comes next? We “are cleared” to receive so much more. We walk in newness of life! And this new life is even better than the one we had- or even imagined. So it is with all of the losses we have in this life. We are always rebuilt into a lovelier, more usable creation of our perfect designer’s vision.

What has been your most difficult time of life? Have you ever felt you have been taken down to the studs? How did you recover? Have you recovered?

If you could start your life completely over, would it look any different? How might you offer this to God? Can rebuilding your new life begin today?

What do you need to clear out in order to gain something new?

God our Re-builder,

You make good come from everything. Thank you for your wondrous love! Thank you that through Jesus, we know you share in our heartaches and trials. You only work to restore and rebuild. Help us to use our trials as a clearing time for you to work more freely and perfectly in us! Amen.

WEEK THREE: RENOVATION

REDECORATE

Psalm 16:8-11 (NRSV)

I keep the Lord always before me;
because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.

Therefore my heart is glad, and my soul rejoices;
my body also rests secure.
For you do not give me up to Sheol,
or let your faithful one see the Pit.

You show me the path of life.
In your presence there is fullness of joy;
in your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

So far during this week of renovation, we have been thinking about major overhauls. Today, let’s focus on a simpler and easier way to renovate ourselves. Sometimes all we need is a little redecorating!

Our home interior has been entirely painted in one color and there are hardwood floors throughout. The interior itself is rather nondescript. But I have the advantage of easily changing color schemes and seasonal themes more often, just by changing or adding accessories and decorations. The changes refresh the house and boost our spirits. This doesn’t take much work or effort, but a quick change up at the end of each season gives us variety, color, and a new outlook.  Changing up even simple things- pillows, flowers, pictures, candles- can rejuvenate our spirits.

This uplifting passage from Psalm 16 inspires us to redecorate in one important way. “I keep the Lord always before me.” And we learn that in doing this, we also can experience what the psalmist finds: gladness, gratitude, security, and most of all, fullness of joy. If we redecorate our lives by keeping God first, our paths will bloom with life and the pleasures of God.

Keeping God before us means that we keep God in the forefront, allow God to lead us, and make God our primary focus and center. Doing so isn’t always easy! But for today, what one simple redecoration could we do to remind and encourage us? What is one thing we can do to keep God before us?

~Keep the Lord always before me. What can you do to redecorate your home or office to remind you of God’s presence? Is there a picture, symbol or poem to display? Jim and I have a small table that we have made into a home altar. This Lent, we have a purple candle, three crosses, a large nail, a photo of Jesus in the wilderness, and a print of bread and wine displayed to remind us of the journey Jesus endured for us.

~Keep the Lord always before me. How might you redecorate your inner self to remind you of God’s presence? Would a practice such as fasting or meditating bless you? Is there a small object you can carry in your pocket, or a piece of jewelry that could wear to gently remind you of the presence of Christ within you? Is there a simple but meaningful Bible verse to memorize and hold in mind?

One and Only God,

You ARE the One we want to keep always before us! We are sorry for the ways we become distracted, inattentive, self-centered and ignorant of your presence. Today, we hope to redecorate our lives with YOU. Help us to place you first in every moment. Help us to do those practices that help us to remain focused on you. May we also serve as a reminder of You for someone else. Amen.

WEEK THREE: RENOVATION

REDUCE

Luke 12:15 (NRSV)

And he said to them, “Take care! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of possessions.”

Jesus continues his theme in the verses following this one, telling us not to worry about our earthly possessions but to strive for his kingdom first. “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also (verse 34).”

There has been a lovely trend on the home renovation shows. People are choosing to minimize, to simplify their lives. Tiny homes are becoming popular. Books and blogs are being written about the joys of minimalism. More and more people are seeing the benefits of having fewer possessions and smaller homes. In spending less time and money on houses and possessions, they are finding more time to do the things that matter to them- time for activities, relationships, rest, and travel.

This is the time of year when many of us are ready for some spring cleaning. As we continue our personal renovation, how might we clean and cull our closets, drawers and shelves? Perhaps it is time to evaluate our possessions with an attitude of simplicity and minimalism. What benefits come when we reduce some of our possessions?

Mel Johnson, in her article on tinybuddha.com writes that decluttering leads to mindful purchasing, money saved from unnecessary and frivolous purchases, time saved by being able to find things more easily, space saved by owning less, quicker and easier cleaning and tidying, more freedom, and a happier outlook. “Surrounding yourself with items you love and displaying only the items most valuable to you will make you feel happier. Gone are the days of saving your favorite things for a special occasion. Every day is a special occasion now that I am only using the things I love and my life is happier as a result.”*

What things should we choose to keep? The things that bring us joy. The things that are significant. The things that are useful. The things that hold deeper meaning. That same article includes a quote from William Morris: “Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.”

What if we were to take that one step further and spring clean our souls? We all have the clutter and weight of heavy schedules, emotional baggage, and burdens of stress. Can we examine the things we have carried with us for so long, asking the same questions?

Is this worry useful?

Is this belief significant enough to keep?

Do I carry this emotion because of some deeper meaning?

Could another idea replace this old one?

Are these feelings worthwhile and uplifting?

Could someone else benefit from doing this task better than I?

Do these memories bring me joy?

May we courageously and rigorously begin to declutter our inner selves. Freeing our souls opens more space for the Spirit to move! May we keep the spirit of William Morris’ thought, and work to “Have nothing in our souls that we do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.”

Selfless, generous Jesus,

We can get so caught up in worldly goods, buying and searching for more. Your words to us are wise and needful. We forget that true joy comes only in you, and in living the way you would have us live. We also get caught up in carrying extra burdens and baggage in our souls. As we begin our personal spring cleaning, help us to reduce. Guide us to rid ourselves of excess, both around us and within us. May we open space in our lives and  in our souls in order to BE. To BE with you. To BE with those we love. To BE present to the moment. To BE part of your intended life for all of us. Amen.

*From https://tinybuddha.com/blog/7-ways-decluttered-life-can-result-decluttered-mind/

WEEK THREE: RENOVATION

REINFORCE

Isaiah 41:10 (NRSV)

…do not fear, for I am with you,
do not be afraid, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you,
I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.

We have seen this happen on several different home renovation shows. As older homes are being renovated, serious troubles are discovered in the foundation, the walls, or the floors. Basement walls are giving way, or underlayment is rotting, or studs are not up to code. These areas need to be reinforced to keep the structure strong and secure. As beautiful as a home may look on the outside, it needs to have a reinforced, strong, basic structure to support the entire house.

Our word for today, reinforce, means to strengthen, support, or fortify. When I think of the word reinforce, I think of bracing something in order to withstand something else. Structures are reinforced to withstand the elements of nature and people- water, wind, mud, and weight. Reinforcements are needed in hostile military situations to withstand attacks. The expression, “Brace yourself!” describes how we steel or fortify ourselves to prepare for something difficult or unpleasant. I envision clenched teeth… tight fists… head ducked.

Our lifelong personal renovation must also include strengthening and reinforcing our areas of weakness. Isaiah writes of God as One who strengthens, helps, and upholds us; God reinforces us!

When we fully trust in God’s help and strength, our perspective changes. There is no bracing against but simply preparing for. We walk forward in peace and serenity, so securely braced on the inside that there is no cowering or hiding or fear. We are simply prepared for anything that comes our way. We walk without fear, not because we have a secure fortress, but because we have God with us. We are reinforced, not as a shield for our security and safety, but as a basis for our freedom and joy.

What area of weakness would you like God to reinforce today? Where do you most need God’s strength?

“Do not fear, I am with you…” Are there any fears would you like God to take?

How might God’s strength and help bring you freedom and joy this week?

God, our loving renovator,

Thank you for upholding and strengthening us as you continue to renovate our lives. Reinforce us with your power and presence, that we may walk serenely and securely, unafraid of whatever we may encounter. Help us to walk in good courage, and always with generous love. Amen.

WEEK THREE: RENOVATION

RENOVATE

Isaiah 43:19 (NRSV)

I am about to do a new thing;
    now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?

“Are you ready to see your Fixer Upper?” Jim and I love to watch Chip and Joanna at work on the HGTV series, “Fixer Upper.” Each week, they renovate an old house to make it perfect for the home buyers. It is amazing to see how such a worn down, unattractive, and impractical home can become beautiful and functional. At the end of the show, the owners are delighted and surprised when the renovated home is revealed. Their old home has been reimagined and made new.

What makes a home perfect for us changes over time. A cute and cozy bungalow may become too small. A large, spacious home may become too large. A house may start out as new and trendy but eventually becomes dated and worn. Appliances may be shiny and efficient, but eventually newer, better models are made. Life changes- births, deaths, aging bodies- lead to the need for different layouts, such as extra bedrooms, no stairs, bigger garages. What once may have been a perfect home for us usually will need renovations and improvements along the way.

We could think of our lives as one long process of renovation. As we continue along the path of becoming our true selves- the selves God intends us to be- we discover that some of the things that once worked for us no longer do. As a house needs renovating to serve its purpose well, at times our ways of living and being need to be changed, too. What in our lives could use some renovation? What changes may help us become our God-intended, true selves?

Changes in size: Have any of our dreams and goals become too small? Or maybe even too big? Have we become too content with the way things are? Could we change the size and scope of our prayers?

Updates: In what ways have our thoughts and beliefs become outdated? What do we spend time doing that really is now obsolete and ineffective? What do we notice in our daily living that could use some colorful sprucing up?

Efficient and eco-friendly updates: What wastes too much of our time and energy? Where could we serve more efficiently? How do we become better stewards of our environment and ourselves?

Changes in layout: Is change needed in the layout of our days- the rhythm of our routines, the way we begin and end each day, our schedules? Have we carried an outdated template for too long?

We are works-in-progress; we can always use some renovating along the way. And, like the homeowners with the run-down, dilapidated home, we are better off entrusting the project to an expert who knows exactly what to do. God helps us figure out what works and what doesn’t, what belongs and what doesn’t. We are being made more perfect and well-suited for God’s purposes each day. We just have to trust the expert. We have to have the courage to explore new options. We have to be willing to let go of long-held traditions or treasures or templates that are in the way of our improvement. Our minds and hearts need to have an “open concept” as God gets to work!

On “Fixer Upper,” Chip and Joanna are the experts. The homeowners trust that the final reveal will be fantastic, and so they have no need to interfere. Allowing God to take over our renovation- leaving the design, the plan and the construction completely to God- places us in the best hands. We too, may find it difficult to visualize the end result, but God is changing us behind the scenes (or “screens” as they do on ‘Fixer Upper!’). We can trust that we will be delightfully surprised on that day of the final big reveal!

“I am about to do a new thing…” Isaiah wrote these words of hope to the Jewish people when they were in captivity in Babylon. Isaiah promised them that God was working to bring them new life and freedom. God is about to do a new thing in us, too.

It is springing forth, do you not perceive it?

WEEK TWO: RELATIONSHIPS

RELATE

Colossians 3:12-17

…clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God.  And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

As we close this week of reflection on how we may be more faithful and loving in our relationships, these verses in Colossians 3 provide a perfect summary for us. Paul says them so beautifully that there is little to add. We relate to one another more perfectly if we…

~clothe ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, patience… and above all, love.

~bear with one another.

~forgive one another.

~let the peace of Christ rule in our hearts.

~be thankful.

~grow in wisdom.

~praise God.

How can we possibly do all these things? By doing “everything in the name of Jesus, giving thanks to God (vs. 17).” We could never do this on our own. Our help comes from Jesus, and we need to rely on his Spirit in every moment.

I have begun a practice of beginning each day asking for his help. I make the sign of the cross- first on my forehead, asking for guidance and wisdom; then on my chin, asking for loving and thoughtful words; and finally on my heart, asking for a generous and willing spirit. (I once saw a similar gesture before the gospel reading during a Catholic worship service and found it beautiful.)*

May we keep learning and growing in love, and may we increasingly relate to one another in tender, humble and godly ways, until are one day perfected and united in eternity. We can do this in the name of Jesus. And don’t forget to thank God!

Which of the ways of love listed above most touch your heart and soul today?

Which of these actions ways do you see as your current strength?

In which of the ways do you most need to grow?

Are there any practices or objects that will remind you to turn to Jesus for help and guidance?

Jesus, Loving Guide,
Thank you for Paul’s words to us. Help us to relate to one another in these ways, that by our life, love, words, and actions we may draw others closer to you and to one another. May we reflect your love in every moment. Thank you for all of the relationships you have given us. Help us to cherish each of them as your precious gifts. Amen.

*Sign of the Cross- from Wikipedia: The primary use for this is immediately before the reading of the Gospel during the Mass. Using the right thumb, a small cross is traced over the forehead, lips, and heart of the individual while whispering or silently praying the words “May Christ’s words be on my mind, on my lips, and in my heart.”

(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sign_of_the_cross)