Control vs. Faith in grace

Control vs. faith in grace

” … But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved — … For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. ….” Ephesians 2:1–22 – By Grace Through Faith (extracts)

I was watching a film the other day, in which there was a young boy of about 10. He was mowing the lawn, one day. His father came to the garden checking on him. He noticed a patch of grass not having been cut and said to his son: Son, you have left this bit out. Let me show you how to do it right!” The boy looked up sadly and nodded in agreement. A few minutes later, the boy was putting his model airplane together in the basement. His father showed up angrily complaining about the smell of glue in the house. “You are using too much glue, son! Look! Let me show you how to do it right!” The boy stood up and as his father set down at the table the boy left the basement silently.

When we try and control the outcome of a situation, we disempower all involved and prevent God’s generous gifts to be revealed to us all.

So, why do we try and control life?

Continue reading Control vs. Faith in grace

Surrender

What is surrender?
In the dictionary, the meaning of surrender is to give up. This meaning can be misleading.

We all usually go about life trying to control what should or should not happen to us, what we should or should not feel and often extend it to our loved ones – what they should or should not do, experience, feel, etc.

Can we get to a point where we are OK with all there is; giving up our notions, preconceived ideas of how life should be and surrender to what is?

When we surrender to Life, we give up control over what should or should not happen. We become present. Instead of thinking about how to outsmart Life, we can have what we truly want: to be aligned with ALL.

At that moment we make ourselves available both to Self and God.

As we develop the observer status ( we talked about how to reach the observer status last week, please check HERE), we can have a look at our disturbances, discomforts, judgments without acting upon them.
In surrendering we make ourselves available to God who talks to us:

“I praise you, LORD,
for being my guide.
Even in the darkest night,
your teachings fill my mind.
8 I will always look to you,
as you stand beside me
and protect me from fear.”
Palm 16:5-8

Continue reading Surrender

Miss sassy

As I was dusting off those long forgotten parts of me, I discovered my little hidden treasures. I realized that it is not only that I am passionate about drawing and cartoons but I am one of them! I am actually full of cartoon figures!

As I was recalling that sweet, cheeky blond girl of about 3 who drew noses and lips to each armchairs in the house because they looked like unfinished faces to her, I realized that I am that sassy and creative fairy called Tinker Bell. This bold, lively and full of spirit girl is still very much alive in me, except, she is not allowed to play any more.

She was told off and shamed so many times for her silly ideas over the years that one day she decided to move to another place – Neverland, maybe? – and not to be seen any more. Soon, she got forgotten, the creativity dried up, the cheeky new ideas turned into harsh criticism. This sweet, sassy, blond child became an angry and unleashed teenager then a bitter adult.

Her curious energy became a source of destruction and her boldness turned into some scary and vindictive bulldozer.

How could I forget about her?

I am reclaiming her now by asking her forgiveness. I also release all those from my anger spell who a long time ago taught me that acting harum-scarum, giddy, quirky, impulsive, capricious, or bemused was shameful. I forgive myself for having judged and hurt myself for decades because of my ignorance and immaturity. I forgive myself for having believed that who I was/I am is in any way not of God and so imperfect.

I restore Tinker Bell as part of my beautiful Self.

Welcome Home, babe!

hearts

tinker-bellPicture source – Disney 

 

The season of Epiphany – an invitation

Epiphany (Greek: επιφάνεια, “the appearance; miraculous phenomenon”) is a Christian feast intended to celebrate the ‘shining forth’ or revelation of God to mankind in human form, in the person of Jesus. The observance had its origins in the eastern Christian churches, and included the birth of Jesus; the visit of the three Magi, or Wise Men (Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar) who arrived in Bethlehem; and all of Jesus’ childhood events, up to his baptism in the Jordan by John the Baptist. The feast was initially based on, and viewed as a fulfillment of, the Jewish Feast of Lights. This was fixed on January 6.

This is also the day of the year that we celebrate the Incarnation of God into the person of Jesus Christ. We have gone through to get to the light of Epiphany. January 6, the last day of Christmas or the “12th Days of Christmas”

The Season after the Epiphany extends through 28 February 2017, which is the day before Lent begins. The Season of Epiphany begins on the Epiphany, 6 January, and ends on the Sunday before Ash Wednesday. This season varies in length, depending on the date of Easter Day. Its climax of the season is the Transfiguration on the last Sunday after the Epiphany.

Please read the verses below as the beginning and the end of the Season. So, we can walk together with Christ in this season of transformation.

Epiphany – Matthew 3:13-17
“As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of Goddescending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”

The Transfiguration – Matthew 17:1-13
“After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus.

“While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!”

Continue reading The season of Epiphany – an invitation