Growth Relationships

The Common Human Condition

I’ve been thinking about those things in life that are common to us all. Among them:
– Messing up
– Needing love
– Getting sick
– Having a family.

All of these things are experienced by every human being, regardless of the country that they live in, the friends they keep or the degree to which each condition is manifest in their lives. What I’ve learned is that too often we focus on the differences, on what distinguishes one person or one group of people from ourselves. However, the things we share in common are often stronger, more true, and a greater source of peace than can hope to be achieved merely through resolving what separates us.
I don’t believe we can solve all that’s wrong with the world through human means. Providence’s help is desperately needed. But maybe if we viewed each other as Providence did – all in the same condition needing the same Source of grace – we’d get closer to resolution.

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Growth

The Way of Discipleship

Listening to God is never an easy thing. Life purposes to distract us from the very thing that makes life worth living: an intimate and growing relationship with our Heavenly Father. The way of discipleship necessitates a commitment to active listening. For it is only through learning who the Father is, that we can follow after Him and make our feeble attempts to become more like Him every day.

Share time with Natalie began as a way to break free from my formulaic interactions. For a long time I’ve told people that my greatest strength and my greatest weakness is that I am a good listener. I listen so well that I never have to share about myself, something that causes me an irrational amount of displeasure. And I am a good listener. I ask questions, delve deep into stories and remember the smallest details from other people’s lives (I remember things about people I don’t even know – hence my fascination with celebrity gossip). The funny thing is, these disciplines that I so readily engage in when meeting other people, I rarely practice when spending time with God. How often have I asked God for further explanation? Do I ever repeat back what I think I’ve heard in order to emphasize that I am listening? Do I validate what He’s saying through a commitment to obedience? Or am I a passive learner; seeking only to hear His voice in the times when I need direction the most?

May this not be. May my life and my actions revel not only a growing knowledge about God, but a growing awareness of God. May I not only understand His character, but may I experience His compassion. May I not only feel His love, but may it so impress my heart that it radiates to those around me.

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