Tag: desire

Paradigm Shift

There is no need to differentiate between the desires of your heart and the promises of God because His character is the same behind both.

A necessary paradigm shift that not only filled my heart with so much joy but calmed the unruly thoughts that plagued my mind.  You have certainly found ways to send me roses of all sorts, affirming me of Your unfailing love as You continue to pursue me.

As I journey through this lenten season and witness on a much deeper level your love story with us, I realize that I am building upon the context of our love story.  Lord, though I do nothing to deserve this attention, all the more do you shower me with your graces and mercies.  Your relentlessness is taking down my walls and unlocking rooms in my heart that I forgot even existed.  With each passing day you are awakening pieces of me I was convinced I’d never see again.  You are unveiling a beauty I felt I never possessed.  You are not only making me ‘ME’, you’re making me YOURS.

 

Desire for Heaven

Most of the time my problem is not knowing what I need to do, it’s having the desire to do it. The problem is not anyone or anything, not even my circumstances; it’s my heart. I do desire to be in Heaven but am I living in a way that truly shows that?

It’s definitely important to always keep the end in mind because it puts perspective on the now and provides wisdom to live a virtuous life, but I find that I lose focus more often than not. I know that I’m losing focus when I start settling for worldly things and reject inconvenience for the sake of others, and when I settle for being comfortable. If I desire Heaven, then my path should not be one of convenience and comfortability.

If I desire Heaven, then I must keep my eyes on Jesus Christ because He is the only Way to get there. I must keep my eyes on the prize which is the upward calling in Him. More than just seeking, the feet of my heart need to move forward. I must follow Him. However, to follow Christ is to deny myself and take up my cross daily. This is no easy task. The path to Heaven is the path of Calvary.

In Heaven, God is the only desire. He is all in all. I cannot desire anyone or anything else. If I do, then I need to be purified. That is why there is purgatory, to purify us completely to be fit for the perfection of the New Jerusalem. But before purgatory, we have the opportunity here on Earth to unite our suffering to Him and rely on His graces found in the Sacraments. I should not ignore this tremendous gift!

As Christians, we embrace suffering because it purifies our desires. We praise God for suffering because it unites us closer to Him (if we choose). If I do not have the desire to embrace my cross, then I do not have the desire for Heaven.

“Whenever anything disagreeable or displeasing happens to you, remember Christ crucified and be silent.” –St. John of the Cross

My Jesus, fill me with Your joy as I hope in You. Amen.

The Narrow Gate

This is a reflection on the calling to be a missionary. This reflection is meant for those discerning for Full Time Pastoral Work.

God’s call for you is very unique. It is how the Lord calls. It is very personal to you. Ordinary to others, extraordinary to you. The more you reflect on it, the more you realize how the Lord has moved the universe in all its precision and accuracy to capture your attention.

That is how much the Lord knows you. He will pluck the right chords to capture your attention.

Your calling is like passing through the narrow gate (Matthew 7:13-14), it is narrow because the opening that leads to life is meant for you. Distractions abound and the gate to other things is wide open, but it is only when you pass the narrow gate will the call will bring you to life.

How is God calling you? How is God using the things that you find awesome and life changing, but ordinary to others?

Lord, may I be sensitive to Your call for me. Like Mama Mary, let me answer You with my full yes. Amen.

Blessed are they

I am reminded by a story about a YFC brother in the Philippines.  I was being approached by one of the sisters about this brother who only bought a 1 way ticket to ILC, I believe he was from Cavite and did not have enough money to go home.  What caught my attention is, “why would you come if you can’t go home” and it clicked that this brother wants to be here.  His desire to celebrate with other YFC was stronger than finding a way home because he knew he would be taken care of.  Now it brought me to this…

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled” – Matthew 5:6

This brother is filled.  Experiencing that moment humbled me because it reminded me about my desire to be with our Lord.  With our busy schedules we might lose this desire, we won’t be hungry or thirsty for what is right in our lives, instead we try to fill ourselves with things that don’t satisfy for long.  It’s obvious here that as long as we thirst and are hungry for the Lord then we will be filled.  This requires consistency, don’t stop, keep going.  In my discernment for fulltime work the desire is strong and what challenges me is will I have this desire the next day. Like that brother who wanted to go to ILC we should also have his desire to attend our meetings such as our households, our 1on1’s, and our assemblies.  Our thirst and hunger should be focused on the Lord and nothing else.  This is why we keep going, it is because of our desire and I pray strongly that we all continue to be thirsty and hungry for Him through our community of CFC Youth.

@itsmetimmm