+JMJ
Sometimes I have mixed feelings when the Lord teaches me. On one hand the more He teaches me the more I want to know. On the other hand, it appears that the more I know the harder it is to follow Him. This makes me want to remain “ignorant,” just out of laziness.
Then, I will get the feeling that I am not learning fast enough. That the answers aren’t coming together fast enough. Why doesn’t God just download it into my brain right now?
Goodness, how typical for the world we live in now. Everything is just so….. available…. all that time. Information, food, entertainment… etc… It seems I like to project this onto the Lord too. I beg Him to feed my needy selfish desire to have all the answers and to have them immediately.
But that is not how the Lord operates, and for good reason. I can see as I reflect upon all that He has taught me, that He teaches in steps. Building on what I have previously learned, and basing the lesson, often times, upon what I am going through.
Spirit of Truth
I have yet many things to say to you: but you cannot near them now.
But when He, the Spirit of Truth, is come, He will teach you all truth. For He shall not speak of Himself; but what things soever He shall hear, He shall speak; and the things that are to come, He shall shew you. He shall glorify Me; because He shall receive of mine, and shall shew it to you. All things whatsoever the Father hath, are mine. Therefore I said, that He shall receive of mine, and shew it to you. -John 16:12-15
My Contemplation
I imagine walking with Jesus though a large field. I am just a little girl and I am following Him picking flowers. He gently reaches out His hand as we walk, encouraging me to catch up and take ahold of it. We walk along, and there are many beautiful flowers I want to pick.
But He instructs me in which ones to pick and when. Some I really, really, want, but am pricked when I try to pick them against His instruction. I am soothed by His love and learn to start leaving the flowers alone that He does not point out to me directly.
As I pick each one, I bring it back to Him. He takes it with a smile and starts to arrange it in His hands. The bouquet grows larger and larger as he carefully and expertly arranging each one.
Just Being
It is so easy to forget the time before we had worries, responsibilities, tasks, and jobs. At the age before we decided that just being was enough and nothing was expected of us. I find it so comforting when I can get just a few minutes of just being, in His presence, where I can listen to His voice. A place where I can learn, understand, and heal without the worries of life.
Things need to be taken one step at a time and at your own personal learning pace. The Lord knows this better than anyone. He knows when you are ready to learn any given lesson, and what He has already prepared you for. There have been many times in my life when I thought I was ready for the next step, but suffered because I rushed it. But He will also push me along when I am dragging my feet too much.
Just like when we are children learning how to walk. We need to gain the strength to stand first, then the balance, then be able to combine them to take those first steps. But we do need to take those first steps at some point.
Bouquet of Wisdom
This is what wisdom is. It is tiny flowers brought together carefully to make a beautiful bouquet. As I learn and grow pieces of wisdom are added making the bouquet also grow. Virtues and good works are added too.
It makes me wonder just how big my bouquet is right now? How full is it? I have a feeling not very full, maybe even pitifully so.
So, take it slow, my Friends. Let the Lord dictate the pace and what He wants to teach you. Because our bouquets will not look very good if we are just running around picking whatever we see and shoving it in the vase just to fill it up.
Remember that His wisdom may not always be immediately given, but He, Himself, is always readily available to us.
Thrive in Jesus, my Friends!
What has the Lord taught you this week? What steps do you notice throughout your life? Have you taken any time to “Just Be” with Jesus?
New to Ignatian Contemplation? Check out my post Here to learn more!