Hearing God's Call, Part 7

Hearing God’s Call,  Part 7

As it has been a few weeks since our last installment, let's do a quick review.

In part one, the focus was on hearing with our faith. Our desire to hear the call of God is born from our desire to know God in a deeper, more profound way. To hear God’s call is to know God at a deeper level and to know that God knows me! We are seeking God out of our faith, out of our belief in and desire for God. Hearing God’s call requires us to Hear with our Faith and to know that is what we are doing. As Jesus said, “Let those with ears hear.”  (Matthew 11:15)

In part two, the focus was on the distractions of this life and our need to confront them. If giving up Netflix would help, then by all means kick it to the curb. Our lives are filled to the brim with the stuff we have to do, and then overflowing by all the rest we pile on. Only you know what is standing in the way of your spiritual ascension. Knowing yourself and what lies in the way is vital to spiritual awareness.

In part three, the focus was on getting out of the way. We try so hard to hear God that we can't hear at all. We need to slow down and open our hearts to a simpler, gentler way of thinking and feeling. Turning to God in prayer, you must strip your prayers of preconceived ideas and expectations and just be. Like a small child, you must allow the innocence of God to be your innocence and the Way of God your joy!

“Through the praise of children and babes
          you have established a stronghold against your enemies,
          to silence the foe and the avenger.”              (Psalm 8:2)

In part four, our focus was on transformation, an ever-going process. We are always being transformed; what that transformation is depends on us. C. S. Lewis put it this way in his book Mere Christianity,

“If we let him—for we can prevent him, if we choose—he will make the feeblest and filthiest of us into a…dazzling, radiant, immortal creature, pulsating all through with such energy and joy and wisdom and love as we cannot now imagine, a bright, stainless mirror which reflects back to God perfectly (though, of course, on a smaller scale) his own boundless power and delight and goodness” (177).

In Part five, our focus was on the renewal of the mind. Living into our self-awareness is a godly practice through which we are aware of our deep need for God’s divine power to help us grow and change. Being in tune with the inner workings of the Holy Spirit and strengthened by the companionship of Christ, you begin to discern the presence of God in all things. Your mind is renewed.

In part six, our focus was on the general Call of God and surrender to it. As you become aware of your life and grow in your desire to know God—and strive to eliminate the distractions that dilute your focus, you change the way you approach God by seeking his innocence. Being aware of this transformation, you renew your mind to redirect all that you are becoming toward God. Recognizing that this “process” is actually not a program, but the real life God has created, you surrender. Surrender to God, follow God. Love God. Love others the way that Jesus loves you, He is our example of godly living…. When you do this, when you live like this, God gets to be God and you get to live stress free.  You don't have to be anxious about anything because it's all within the framework of what Jesus said and did. Living this Way opens the heart and spirit to the will of God and the Call to a specific mission.
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In part seven (this one!) our focus has been calling together all that has gone before to reveal the pattern of life God has ordained and we have received. Through intentional devotion to God and the energetic reception of growing awareness, you will hear God’s call.
Next week, the specific Call of God.

Peace in Christ,
Fr. Bill+