Hearing God’s Call

From two weeks ago:
 
Next week we will look at how we can strengthen our focus to do this continuously through our daily ups and downs.
and
Just like tuning a radio to your favorite station, you must tune your spirit to God’s Spirit to hear the “broadcast” of heaven!
 
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”         Romans 12:2
 
Discerning the will of God assumes a renewed mind. St. Paul is talking about how our adherence to the biblical witness and teaching produces a direction in life that leads to communion and fellowship with God. For our part, this communion and fellowship puts us on the “the same frequency” with the Holy Spirit, compelling us to godly thoughts and actions.
 
The renewal of the mind begins with the awareness that our focus on self, on temporal concerns and desires, is wrong thinking. We know this is true in the same way that we know that, because of selfishness, ignoring or dismissing others is wrong behavior. We are self-aware whether we like it or not, God only wants us to live into it.
 
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. This need compels us to soak our minds, marinate our thoughts, and saturate our reflections with the Word of God. This practice of self awareness, reflection and change is as old as the church itself, it is the pattern of devotion. Once we embrace God in this way, the renewal of our mind makes it possible for us to commune with God (be aware of God’s presence) throughout the day.
 
In a wonderful way, the reward for devotion and focus on God, is renewed devotion and focus on God. Our efforts produce the fruit which becomes the food that empowers the transformation. The ups and downs of the day are leveled out by the proper perspective of divine intention. In the same way we look forward to or even obsess over a character in a book or on media and “can't wait” to get back them, the revelation of God becomes that and more. Prayer and Bible reading/study are no longer something we plan for, but an integrated part of everyday life.
 
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.
 
A prayer:

“O God, shape me. O God, make me. O God, bring me into conformity to this Word at the depths of my being.”

Next week: Hearing the Call.
Listening,
​Fr. Bill +