Our Lenten Journey... "I am here."

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"Land that drinks in the rain often falling on it and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is farmed receives the blessing of God." ~ Hebrews 6: 7 

It has rained all night here in Gonzales, Texas at the Disciples Oaks Retreat Center where I am leading a faith community this weekend as we discuss loving one another and understanding our ability to love one another when we ourselves find it difficult loving ourselves.

It's an amazing journey that each of us are on.  It doesn't take long to realize that no matter how much we love God, sometimes, that love finds it difficult to be present when we have been hurt, or hurt someone else.

Looking around, we understand that terrible things happen each day.  If we were to get really caught up in these activities, we might begin to wonder if anything we do makes any sense.

When there are homeless persons, persons seeking food, families dividing, and borders raging, it is difficult for us to even have a place to start to make a difference.  We literally can be paralyzed and become depressed.

That's when we begin to listen.  

For us, the call of God to action begins by listening.  Listening in prayer and responding.

We must be sure not to overwhelm our senses with "things."  The noise of this world is loud, but the still small voice of a powerful God takes silence.  It is listening to our heart.  It is taking time to cry.  It is about being still.

If we find it difficult to listen, then we must learn to keep asking God to help us hear and see clearly what our call is and to give us the strength to live out what it is that God is asking of us.

Then we will discover that our faithfulness to a small task is the most healing response to the challenges of our time.

Stay in God's grip!

​G. Todd Williams (c) 2017

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Dear God, Your mercy surrounds me, and I am thankful.  May I learn to be still long enough to listen to Your call in my life.  When I hear Your voice, let me be reminded to respond,
​"I am here."  Amen.

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