(August 1, 2016)
Here’s the last reflection I had from the one on one I had with God at the office last week.
It would’ve been predictable and would’ve made sense to have this post titled as Give Thanks, reflecting the theme for this year. However, I find it fitting to first revisit the theme of 2014.
Behold and Ponder. It was the third year for CFC in our journey with Mother Mary, and it was a year of reflection. A year to reflect in silence. This theme challenged us to see or observe and reflect deeply and thoroughly on where are hearts are. For CFC it was a reflection on the 33 years of CFC and where it would go from there. But now (or 7 days ago) for me, it’s a reflection on how I should take the time to stop and look at where Christ is leading me. Now how do I relate this to third part of this year’s theme, ‘Give Thanks’? It’s through these two that we have a posture of receiving. Prior to Behold and Ponder, we looked at the Magnificat (“Proclaim the greatness of the Lord”) and then Obey and Witness (“Do whatever He tells You”). Both of which called us to act, to do something in response to God’s love for us – parallel to rejoice and pray. And then with the third part, it is a calling to revisit where the Lord is leading us and to receive the fruits. If we are to give thanks for what the Lord has done, we must first KNOW where, when and how the Lord has been so good to us. How do we do that? By stopping, seeing and deeply reflecting on what the Lord has done.
However, I’ve come to realize that this doesn’t happen enough times. How often have I been so caught up in doing deed after deed, resulting in a focus solely on the success or failure of that deed. It’s a lot of doing and acting, and not a lot of receiving. As a result I am either positive or disappointed about the end result. But, there is so much more to this than simply the start and end. Every single thing that happens in our life bears fruit. As long as we look to Christ and take the time to see where He is leading us then we will be able to see the fruits. This year we weren’t called to give thanks just for the good things in our lives, but to give thanks in all things. For by doing this, as well as rejoicing and praying, we allow God who “surpasses all understanding [to] guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 4:7)
Proclaim the greatness of the Lord, Obey & Witness, Behold & Ponder.
Rejoice, Pray, Give Thanks.
AMDG.