“Come now,” says the Lord, “let us reason together” Is. 1:18.
“Yet even now, return to me with your whole heart ….” Joel 2:12.
How do you feel about God – wicked or kind, loving or hostile? One who thinks of me or has altogether forgotten and neglected me. Don’t you know that the kind of perception you have about God affects in no small way the manner and quality of your journey?
The girls in my testimony yesterday before now had the feeling of being abandoned and not loved by God. They’ve already lost faith in God even the “loosed canon.” They go to church just to fulfill all righteousness, but most of the time they don’t even bother because things were getting worse and the so good a God doesn’t seem to give a kiss about them.
But it is a different ball game altogether now, for there is a new reawakening, a new Pentecost fire in them so strong that even their mother could not comprehend (even the spirit that spoke during the prayer session said same and was forced to ask whether it was Rose [not real name] that was praying). Their mother told me she was amazed at her girls, the vigour with which they prayed especially the eldest and fourth. She could not believe her eyes and ears but was very proud and happy about it.
What happened, why the sudden change? They had an encounter with the seemingly silent God who was actually not silent but preparing the grounds for the great encounter. The encounter has seriously change their perceptions of God – that God loves them so much even when they had lost faith in him.
Don’t you know that the fire of God in you never goes out in spite of the challenging and ugly situations you might be facing? All you need do is to be aware of it and yield to it for its always there. God is a specialist in setting fires in the form of little sparks and keeps them alight come what may. The spark of God’s fire came from no other than the “loosed canon.”
She too like the prodigal son came to her senses. Towards the end of last year she resolved never to go about looking for solutions to their travails but would remain focused on him in the Blessed Sacrament and adore him there; hold on too to her rosary for she knew that God was working out something to their favor.
The spark of fire led to the great encounter. She reluctantly had to yield to the invitation of beginning the year with the 21 days fast, which opened the doors of God’s liberation in her family. The fire has to be rekindled in her home with the only challenge being that her siblings who would say that she had come again with her troubles. But it was time.
The challenges were minimal but they saw the loving hands of God at work. Confessions were made and their eyes were opened to the truth. Presently, they are joyfully doing the unthinkable, what they had never done and would never intend doing – the 40 days Lenten fast journey. They are responding big time to the call of Jesus “take up your cross, deny yourself daily and follow me.” You really need to see them now – glowing, walking in joy and confidence, looking forward with joy and vigor to end their day with prayers and praises to God.
Their encounter was like that of the prodigal son, whose perception of a joyful home was all that was necessary to propel a return; a situation where even servants had in abundance. Pride could not hold him down. Enough is enough he said, it was time to go home even if it means giving up his sonship for the joy and warmth that his father’s home would provide.
So what’s your perception of God? Why are you still staying away? Don’t you know that God is the best in the business of making the impossible possible? Make that return to him with all your heart for there shall be no frown awaiting you on his face (cf. Jer. 3:12).
My most sweet and adorable Jesus, kindle in my weak and troubled heart the fire of your love. Give me the grace to be able to retrace my steps to your love, and never allow pride and shame to blind my eyes from seeing the joy, freedom and healing in your wounded body. Amen.
Pray today again with the song “Amazing grace”; Ps. 23&27 and with St. Pio’s “Stay with me, Lord.” Study the 21st chapter of the book of the prophet Jeremiah.
SHEPHERD ME O LORD, BEYOND MY STRENGTH.