May you have tremendous joy,
obtaining the one thing worth desiring,
but remain surprised by God,
with awe for God's gift in you.
Be an essential co-worker in the heavenly field,
a co-creator in the work of God,
a support for the Body of Christ.
Amen.
This prayer is meaningful, of course, for anyone who follows Jesus and understands that God's kingdom is now. Chances are, that if you read this blog, you probably minister to others in big and small ways: Volunteering on church committees, helping at food pantries and soup kitchens, tutoring children, donating money to charities when time is a rare commodity, spending time with the lonely, welcoming the marginalized, and loving and forgiving our neighbors, including the ones we live with in our home.
As a spiritual director, this prayer resonates with me though, as I do get to experience a lot of "joy" listening to others as they choose to walk life's paths with a loving and compassionate God. And even when the path is extremely bumpy or when God seems nowhere about, I do "remain surprised" by how God has worked within hearts and minds to have them join me for that hour once a month.
In this troubled world, the harvest seems not quite as plentiful as it did earlier in my life. But that's what the enemy of our souls wants us to believe by all the bad news we read and hear. When permitted, the Holy Spirit still blows open the windows and doors of our hearts - and our churches - to allow the always-creating God to move us to do the "work of God" in our own unique ways and with our own distinct gifts.
So for this midweek meditation, consider asking yourself these questions and giving Christ time to provide the answers:
+ In what specific ways do I support the Body of Christ? When and where am I working in this heavenly field?
+ What is it that I do for God's kingdom that springs forth as a gift within me, a gift from my Creator? Have I thanked God for that gift? Have I asked God how to use my gifts even more?
+ What have I done for Christ in the past? What can I do for Christ today? What may I do for Christ with my future? (Based on The Spiritual Exercises by Ignatius of Loyola.)
In all you do today, may you continue to be amazed and delighted by God!
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