The Spiritual Formation Bible has this inspiring insight about the working of God's word as God speaks creation into existence.
"Over and over we read, "God said...and it was so. That refrain is found throughout Genesis 1. God spoke, and creation leaped into being in joyful response to the overwhelming power of God's Word. Great comfort can be found in knowing that God's Word is always fruitful. God doesn't just try, God does. Is there a place in your prayer today where this fact might bring you assurance? The next time you wonder how anything good can possibly emerge from your current situation, remember that God's response to prayer is immediate, even though the effects may not at first be visible. When God speaks, things happen -- both within us and around us."
On Saturday June 6 I prayed this prayer of the day; "Heavenly Father, make my soul be as the budding garden. Spare me from drought and unfruitfulness. Grant that I will never be seen as poor, pitiful, and repulsive to others. May I as a Christian blossom in you and produce fruit." Amen."
Now that may seem like a respectable prayer. And it surely expresses what I might desire for my life and in my life. However why should I be spared drought and unfruitfulness when others have to endure it. And why should I not be poor, pitiful and repulsive when there are others who have to experience them. I surely want to blossom and bear fruit in my Christian life but what if that doesn't happen then what. Certainly my salvation and relationship with God does not depend on blossoming and producing fruit. I do not merit or earn God's love or presence in my life. I know these are good things to pray for however I need to be careful in thinking I should have everything go well in my life without difficulties, trials and problems. May the Lord God give us a heart of wisdom and understanding that we might indeed take up our cross (es) and follow after Jesus who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross.
We belong to God. It is a profound truth, yet one that we easily forget. The image of God as an attentive shepherd abounds in Scripture. Belonging to this loving Shepherd, we are watched and cared for with infinite tenderness. You are beloved in God's eyes. Marvelous and wonderful is this truth.
A word from the lectionary readings:
Genesis 18:1-15; 21:1-7 favor
Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19 bounty
Exodus 19:2-8 bore
Psalm 100 His people
Romans 5:1-8 ungodly
Matthew 9:35-10:8 laborers
Luke 8 seed
Teresa of Avila in response to an injustice and evil is quoted as charging God; "If this is how you treat your friends, no wonder you have so few of them!" What does God promise when we dedicate our lives to Him? Are we promised that there will be no hardship, no difficulties? Instead, we are promised that we will never be alone. Is that enough for us? (Spiritual Formation Bible)
The following questions from Dave and Beth Booram's book When Faith Become Sight are provocative, challenging, meaningful, significant, etc. Give them your consideration.
1. When you're completely honest with yourself, what do you really want?
2. In your most personal, private moments what do you deeply, ardently desire?
3. If you stop trying to play the capable, responsible hero, what is it that you need?
4. What longings do you have that just won't go away no matter what?
"These questions can be experienced as a doorway to a deeper intimacy with God, yourself, and others, and an unsolicited invitation to revisit past disappointments and might have beens. When we're alone and most in contact with our true hearts and allow these questions to surface, they can either energize us to dig beneath our day-to-day surface activity and discover a refreshing fountain within or leave us scurrying toward distractions and the comfortable familiarity of what is. A wellspring is an apt metaphor for this irrepressible, God-given capacity to desire. Like it or not, try as we might, ignoring our core desires is just about as effective as capping an artesian well. If you succeed in stopping the original flow, it will only burst forth in new and unwelcomed eruptions."
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