Who do you depend on more, your family and friends or God? I hope you said God but if you are like me, you did pause and think about it. In fact, social scientists have noted that society began to change significantly when folks started depending on each other more than God. This shift occurred because of the development of science. The emphasis turned from feelings and intuition to reason and logic. The idea of a community which did not include God or lessened His involvement created the environment we have now. To be more succinct, it was at this point that we as a society began to drift away from the Bible as our life manual and decided not to consult God as we moved forward with our lives. I am not denouncing science or presenting logic as detrimental to society. I am suggesting that we may have gone to far and need to re-balance our process. We know that we are to depend on God for everything and He reminds us of this in Genesis. In Colossians, He reminds us again in 1:16-17, "For in him were created all things in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers; all things were created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together." It is such a comfort to read that God is holding it all together. Doesn't the feeling that life is spinning out of control create strife in our lives? Then we spend large amounts of time trying to figure out how to regain control. That is the point, isn't it? We are not supposed to regain control but allow God to take control and lead us. Just to reassure us, He says in Hebrews 1:3 that God endowed Jesus with the ability to, "sustain all things by his mighty word." We should be comforted by our Savior. He is mighty and powerful. He is looking out for us. He has our back. Yet we continue to turn to others in place of God. The odd thing is, the folks we turn to are in the same situation as us. They are also unsure and wandering. They may not look it but how can they know the answers to things that only God knows? I want to clarify that I do feel there is merit in consulting with others about tough decisions. Someone who has been through the same or a similar experience is a good sounding board. But instead of depending on them to solve your problems, you should ask them to pray with you. Invite them to join you in exalting the Lord and asking for the next step. Let's start today to shift back to a culture that counts on our God to provide for us.
I am just beginning to dive into the beautiful, ancient devotion to the Five Wounds of Jesus, and I wanted to share a bit of the journey with you. It can feel a little overwhelming at first to look at the Crucifix this closely, but I’ve found such a gentle guide in St. Bernard of Clairvaux . In his Jubilee Rhythm on the Passion, Bernard doesn't treat the wounds of Jesus as distant historical facts or sights to be avoided. Instead, he approaches them with the tenderness of a friend, speaking directly to the feet, hands, side, and face of our Lord. For someone like me who is just starting out, his rhythm teaches that prayer isn't just about reciting words; it’s a holy hide-and-seek. Bernard invites us to literally hide ourselves within these wounds, seeing them as clefts in the rock where we can find shelter when our own lives feel turbulent or heavy. As I start this process, I’ve been practicing what I call gazing and greeting. Following Bernard’s lead, I look at the Crucifix an...
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