New Year's Blessings
May God grant you according to your heart's desire,
and fulfill all your purpose. [Psalm 20:4]
May God grant you according to your heart's desire,
and fulfill all your purpose. [Psalm 20:4]
Harkerville forest path When we arrive on earth, we are provided with no map for our life-journey. Only gradually, as our identity forms and shapes itself, and we get an inkling of who we are, do possibilities begin to emerge that call us. It is one of the weightiest decisions: to decide what to do with your life. The challenge is to find a way of life that will be in harmony with your gifts and your needs. Behind each face there is a unique world that no one else can see. This is the mystery of individuality. Each soul is different and unique. No one else feels your life the way you do. No one else sees or hears the world as you do. The creation of the individual is a Divine masterpiece: such care and detail and attention went into the creation of each person.
Given the uniqueness of each of us, it is not surprising that one of the greatest challenges in life is to inhabit our own individuality, and to discover which life-form best expresses it. One of the great laws of life is: be yourself! Though this sounds simple, it is often a difficult task. To be yourself, you have to learn how to become who you were created to be. Each person has a unique destiny. There is something special that each of us can be and do and contribute to the world. Without us, the tapestry of life would be incomplete and lacking something. A fascinating and exciting and sometimes confusing part of our life's journey is to decipher and discover what our destiny is. At the heart of each destiny is hidden a unique life-calling. What is it that you are called to do? What is your vocation in life? God has a call on your life. We were pre-destined according to God's purpose for our lives. In Him we were chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of Him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of His will. [Ephesians 1:11]
For some people, the question of their calling is difficult to decipher. For others, it follows from an early intuition and practically unfolds of its own accord. For some, it can be the singular and exclusive direction their life takes. For others, the nature of their calling can change over time and follow new directions, taking a person down pathways never anticipated. Some people never seem to find what it is that they are called to do, and this can burden them with continual restlessness and dissatisfaction. It is devastating to feel trapped in a form of life where you feel misplaced and all your effort is laboured and everything you do is done against the grain. When you feel like this and you take no joy or pleasure in what you do, and your heart is haunted by alternative lives you might never have, it can make for a resentful and bitter life. It may be time to change what you are doing and perhaps sacrifice the familiar in order to find your true calling, and give your gifts the space and opportunity to emergy. This might not be easy to do, but it is worth the struggle and the search. It can utterly transform your life, because when you find what you are called to do, your life takes on focus and purpose. You come into rhythm with the deeper longing of your heart.
Given the uniqueness of each of us, it is not surprising that one of the greatest challenges in life is to inhabit our own individuality, and to discover which life-form best expresses it. One of the great laws of life is: be yourself! Though this sounds simple, it is often a difficult task. To be yourself, you have to learn how to become who you were created to be. Each person has a unique destiny. There is something special that each of us can be and do and contribute to the world. Without us, the tapestry of life would be incomplete and lacking something. A fascinating and exciting and sometimes confusing part of our life's journey is to decipher and discover what our destiny is. At the heart of each destiny is hidden a unique life-calling. What is it that you are called to do? What is your vocation in life? God has a call on your life. We were pre-destined according to God's purpose for our lives. In Him we were chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of Him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of His will. [Ephesians 1:11]
For some people, the question of their calling is difficult to decipher. For others, it follows from an early intuition and practically unfolds of its own accord. For some, it can be the singular and exclusive direction their life takes. For others, the nature of their calling can change over time and follow new directions, taking a person down pathways never anticipated. Some people never seem to find what it is that they are called to do, and this can burden them with continual restlessness and dissatisfaction. It is devastating to feel trapped in a form of life where you feel misplaced and all your effort is laboured and everything you do is done against the grain. When you feel like this and you take no joy or pleasure in what you do, and your heart is haunted by alternative lives you might never have, it can make for a resentful and bitter life. It may be time to change what you are doing and perhaps sacrifice the familiar in order to find your true calling, and give your gifts the space and opportunity to emergy. This might not be easy to do, but it is worth the struggle and the search. It can utterly transform your life, because when you find what you are called to do, your life takes on focus and purpose. You come into rhythm with the deeper longing of your heart.
Prayer:
Lord, open my eyes to see what I need to see about Your calling on my life. Open my ears to hear Your voice leading me towards and into it. I pray that You reveal to me the gifts and talents You have given me. I pray that any insecurity in me - which I know is actually a lack of faith in Your ability to guide and sustain me - will not rule over my discovering and using my God-given gifts. Prepare and equip me for what You have for me to do. Keep me from doing anything that would hinder all You want to do in and through me. I pray that You, the Father of Glory, will give me the spirit of wisdom and revelation so that my eyes of understanding will be enlightened, and I will know what is the hope of Your calling on my life.
[Ephesians 1:17-18]
Lord, open my eyes to see what I need to see about Your calling on my life. Open my ears to hear Your voice leading me towards and into it. I pray that You reveal to me the gifts and talents You have given me. I pray that any insecurity in me - which I know is actually a lack of faith in Your ability to guide and sustain me - will not rule over my discovering and using my God-given gifts. Prepare and equip me for what You have for me to do. Keep me from doing anything that would hinder all You want to do in and through me. I pray that You, the Father of Glory, will give me the spirit of wisdom and revelation so that my eyes of understanding will be enlightened, and I will know what is the hope of Your calling on my life.
[Ephesians 1:17-18]
The notion of vocation suggests that there is a special form of life to which one is called, and to follow this is the way to realize your destiny. God has a unique and marvelous plan for each one of our lives that involves sacrifice and joys beyond our imaginings. But to experience the adventure of the journey, and arrive at the destination, we have to accept the call. Following one's vocation ensures that what you choose to do finds itself in harmony with your inner nature. It is the optimum way to unfold and develop your gifts. However, a vocation does not clear before you a smooth path through difficulties. Having a sense of your vocation does not relieve you of the travail and turbulence of being human. Indeed, being true to one's vocation often requires a level of generosity and risk that may cause great uncertainty, sacrifice and suffering. Often times the light on offer is just enough to guide the next step. Boldness, faith and trust are required.
When God calls you, He will equip you. He gives you the gifts you need in order to fulfill that calling. An angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon and told him: "Go in this might of yours, and you shall save Israel. Gideon replied: "O my Lord, how can I save Israel? Indeed my clan is the weakest, and I am the least in my father's house." The Lord told Gideon to have faith that he could do it, saying: "Surely I will be with you." [Judges 6:14-16]
When God calls you, He will put a dream or vision in your heart of what needs to be accomplished. God doesn't expect you to try and fulfill that dream or vision in your own strength. He wants you to surrender to Him, and then He will bless you with an anointing of His Spirit and His presence and power within you. Ask God and then expect Him to birth something great in you, knowing that "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." [Matthew 19:26]
When God calls you, He gives you peace about it. God assures us that we have a good future, and trusting this gives us peace. "For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." [Jeremiah 29:11]
Our calling opens new territories within the heart, and this in turn deepens the calling itself. What at the beginning seemed simple and clear, can become ambivalent and complex as it unfolds. To cultivate and develop a heart that is generous and equal to this complexity is a continual challenge of growth. This is the creative tension that dwells at the heart of vocation. One is urged and coaxed beyond the pale regions, into rich territories of risk and promise and reward. It is a relief and a joy to find the calling that expresses and incarnates your spirit. When you do what you love - what you came here to do - it makes for a fulfilling and contented life. You have come into rhythm with your longing. Your work and action emerge naturally and you don't have to force yourself. Your energy is immediate and spontaneous. Your passion is clear and creative. Finding your calling can open the door into the house of vision and belonging. You feel at home in your life, and your heart and hearth are at one. May this come to be this year!
Beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. [1 Corinthians 15:58]
When God calls you, He will equip you. He gives you the gifts you need in order to fulfill that calling. An angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon and told him: "Go in this might of yours, and you shall save Israel. Gideon replied: "O my Lord, how can I save Israel? Indeed my clan is the weakest, and I am the least in my father's house." The Lord told Gideon to have faith that he could do it, saying: "Surely I will be with you." [Judges 6:14-16]
When God calls you, He will put a dream or vision in your heart of what needs to be accomplished. God doesn't expect you to try and fulfill that dream or vision in your own strength. He wants you to surrender to Him, and then He will bless you with an anointing of His Spirit and His presence and power within you. Ask God and then expect Him to birth something great in you, knowing that "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." [Matthew 19:26]
When God calls you, He gives you peace about it. God assures us that we have a good future, and trusting this gives us peace. "For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." [Jeremiah 29:11]
Our calling opens new territories within the heart, and this in turn deepens the calling itself. What at the beginning seemed simple and clear, can become ambivalent and complex as it unfolds. To cultivate and develop a heart that is generous and equal to this complexity is a continual challenge of growth. This is the creative tension that dwells at the heart of vocation. One is urged and coaxed beyond the pale regions, into rich territories of risk and promise and reward. It is a relief and a joy to find the calling that expresses and incarnates your spirit. When you do what you love - what you came here to do - it makes for a fulfilling and contented life. You have come into rhythm with your longing. Your work and action emerge naturally and you don't have to force yourself. Your energy is immediate and spontaneous. Your passion is clear and creative. Finding your calling can open the door into the house of vision and belonging. You feel at home in your life, and your heart and hearth are at one. May this come to be this year!
Beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. [1 Corinthians 15:58]
 | Blessing for work: May the light of your soul bless your work with love and warmth of heart. May you see in what you do the beauty of your soul. May the sacredness of your work bring light and renewal to yourself, to those who work with you, and to recipients of your work. May your work never bore you or exhaust you. May it release wellsprings of refreshment, inspiration and creativity. May you never become lost in bland absences. May the day never burden. May dawn find hope in your heart. May you approach the new day with dreams, possibilities and promises. May evening find you gracious and fulfilled. May you go into the night blessed, sheltered and protected. May your soul calm, console and renew you. [John O'Donohue] |
Wishing you a Blessed 2014!
May you "walk worthy of the calling with which you were called." [Ephesians 4:1]
Prayer:
God, I praise You that You are all-knowing and can see the end from the beginning. That You uphold all things by Your power. That You hold my life in Your hand. That You see my past and my future. I lift up to You all that I am and offer my life to You. Make me an instrument through which Your will is accomplished on earth. Use what I have for Your glory. Lift me up to see things from Your perspective and help me to rise above my limitations. I don't want to limit what You can do in and through me because I don't have an adequate vision of what Your heart desires to accomplish through me. I pray that You empower me to do great things for You and Your glory. I praise You that You are all-powerful and there is nothing too hard for you. May Your goodness, holiness, and beauty, rest upon me and establish the work of my hands. [Psalm 90:17] Thank You that You created me with a purpose and move me into the future You have for me. "For we are His workmanship, created for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them." [Ephesians 2:10]
God, I praise You that You are all-knowing and can see the end from the beginning. That You uphold all things by Your power. That You hold my life in Your hand. That You see my past and my future. I lift up to You all that I am and offer my life to You. Make me an instrument through which Your will is accomplished on earth. Use what I have for Your glory. Lift me up to see things from Your perspective and help me to rise above my limitations. I don't want to limit what You can do in and through me because I don't have an adequate vision of what Your heart desires to accomplish through me. I pray that You empower me to do great things for You and Your glory. I praise You that You are all-powerful and there is nothing too hard for you. May Your goodness, holiness, and beauty, rest upon me and establish the work of my hands. [Psalm 90:17] Thank You that You created me with a purpose and move me into the future You have for me. "For we are His workmanship, created for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them." [Ephesians 2:10]
Peace + Happiness + Fulfillment be with you now and in the future
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