WEEK 142
God, what is your guidance for me today? How may I grow in my spiritual life?
Let nothing get in the way of your
commitment to grow and advance spiritually.
How to let nothing get in the way?
Love and devotion.
Love and devotion are the essential
qualities that energize the will and give power
to the commitment one has to grow and ascend.
When obstacles appear, surrender
them to Me. Your ability to persevere
comes from the grace of My Holy Spirit
strengthening you.
Today, be devoted to love.
That is, formally vow to love and to
remain in love. I will give you power.
If a person or circumstance appears in your day
that challenges your being loving…
rejoice! For this is how growth takes place.
Remember… love and devotion.
Take a deep breath as you think love.
As you exhale, think devotion.
Breathe in love…
Breathe out devotion.
Breathe in devotion…
Breathe out love.
Do this today and you will grow in might and
strength of spirit.
And heaven will rejoice!
Evening Reflection
Today’s reminder of love and devotion as powerful energizers in spiritual growth was itself powerful to hold today.
It was interesting to pay attention to the word devotion and see how it lived within me. When life presents a challenge to easy love, it is devotion to love that can allow us to speak and act in love when the very human part of us wants to do otherwise.
Spiritual growth has three basic stages. First, one learns about spirituality. Secondly, the lessons are applied and practiced. And thirdly, with great effort of our spiritual will and with God’s grace, we become the lessons.
Today, I was also reminded that growing spiritually is actually done by the loving and powerful agency of the Creator’s agency and grace. It is done IN us, not by US. This is important to remember lest we become prideful of our own growth. Instead, gratitude for any growth is the proper response. Thankfulness. It reminds me of the old folk saying…
I am not what I ought to be,
I am not what I want to be,
I am not what I hope to be in another world;
but still I am not what I once used to be,
and by the grace of God I am what I am.
