Transformed by Love

In my life I have come to learn that God does their greatest work during our times of suffering, our times of pain. For it is in these moments that we learn humility, patience, trust, and surrender.  God is not able to work freely in our lives when we are in control, when we have the plan, when we’re taking care of things.  The Divine's deepest desire is for us to surrender ourselves, our wills, to Them.  For us to allow God to transform us into all They created us to be.

In recent years, I have experienced significant transformation in my spiritual life that has created a desire to live more fully in the present moment, to be authentically myself, and to accompany others on their spiritual journeys.  

Through the struggle, through the questioning, through the prayer, and the reflection, God draws us to deeper levels of relationship with Them.  They reminded me that everything They created, They created good, including me. That They love us in our messiness, in our brokenness.  They share in our suffering and pain. And that through it, They teach us to surrender, They teach us humility, They teach us patient endurance, They teach us trust. They helped me to learn that it is through our suffering, and in our sacrifice, that we are transformed into Their image. 

As a result of my time of loss, loneliness, prayer, and surrender, God taught me several valuable lessons.  

1. I learned that the only moment that we have any control over is the present moment.  The past has already been written. The future is out of our control. The greatest gift we can give is to be Love in the present moment, and to surrender to God’s plan for the future, to surrender to being, and not being, knowing, and unknowing, to simply practice the gift of presence.  To see Christ in others, and to be Christ for others.

2. I learned that we are all connected, one human family, no matter the difference, be it age, race, gender, ethnicity, skin color, country, economic status, political or religious beliefs.  We are called to be love. If we are going to impact lives, helping them to experience the presence of God in their hearts, leading them to an encounter with God’s love and mercy, we need to be willing to enter into authentic relationships of accompaniment with them.

3. I learned that life is not simply about the destination, life is first and foremost about the journey, and those we share the journey with. It’s about both the journey and the dream. Embrace them both.

4. I learned that life is about relationships, joy, peace, and connection, with God, with every one, with every thing, with Love, for God IS love.