Monday, February 20, 2012

God's dream for the world

"Visions and dreams...do we trust them? Many people who heard Peter's speech at Pentecost thought that the visions and dreams he spoke of were the result of too much wine. When we allow the Spirit to move in us, we become dreamers too. God's dreams for the world live in us through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. The "portion of the Spirit" that falls on us is needed by the rest of the world. When we trust our visions and dreams and join them with the visions and dreams of others, God's dream for the world becomes a reality." 




What do we believe God's dream for the world to be? 
How do I participate in making that dream a reality? 
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2 comments:

  1. thornberrytFebruary 20, 2012 at 6:21 PM

    God's dream seems like it must involve showing others His love...that everyone might know true holiness in all things: their jobs, their food, their families, nature, technology, their bodies their relationships with people they meet, their struggles and hardships, their talents and gifts. All of the things that make up life in the day to day..."To be able to enjoy fully the many good things the world has to offer, we must be detached from them. To be detached does not mean to be indifferent or uninterested. It means to be nonpossessive. Life is a gift to be grateful for and not a property to cling to..."
    - from Henri Nouwen
    In this detachment we I believe we find that holiness. God needs us to fervently seek this holiness and beauty in all things, taking what the world offers and seeing and appreciating it through holy lenses. As we do this I believe others see what we do and will desire it because somewhere deep down God has written it on everyone's heart to understand this beauty in all things.
    The "portion of the Spirit" that falls on us comes in the form of are clearest understandings and our passion and talent for giving certain things to others. As Francisco and I continue on our path to provide health and education to all those who need it as well as eventually continue a search for holiness in a family setting, we find that the Spirit of our dreams is infinitely stronger when combined with someone else. Following this is following God's call and contributing to His dream for the world, of which we are all a part.

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  2. FXCF!February 22, 2012 at 3:51 PM

    Empty Hands

    One by one He took them from me,
    All the things I valued most;
    Until I was empty-handed,
    Every glittering toy was lost.

    And I walked earth's highway, grieving,
    In my rage and poverty,
    Till I heard His voice inviting,
    ''Lift your empty hands to Me.''

    So I held my hands toward heaven
    And He filled them with a store
    Of His own transcendent riches
    Until they could hold no more.

    And at last I comprehended,
    With my stupid mind and dull,
    That God could not pour His riches
    Into hands already full!


    I read this poem today...and besides being just a beautiful message of giving up what we hold most dear in this physical world, it reflected what I think God really wants us to do this Lenten season and throughout our lives. Just like Tomilyn stated before, being nonpossessive is something that is very difficult to do. We LIKE to hold on to things...whether they be a physical vice (a nice pair of shoes we don't need, clothes we don't wear anymore), emotional tugs (holding to a grudge, being spiteful or judgmental of others), or spiritual chains (not practicing the Sacraments enough, not devoting enough time to prayer), we all hold onto certain things and don't let them go. God's dream, I feel for us, is that people realize that He can give them so much more than they ever could imagine if only they let go what is holding them back.

    Whether we don't want to let them go, or we really do but deep down don't make the commitment, giving up what holds us down from God is not only necessary, it is freeing. I know that there are times where I feel like I've been weighed down by so many different things in life, and in those moments I try to lift them up to God and ask Him to help me out. Even when times are good though, I STILL need to be lifting things up to the Lord in order to free myself from what this world tempts me with. People may not even understand it; they might even vilify me for it. That can't let the light of God dull out...and in due time, God will grace us with blessings that we didn't even know existed.

    I am so grateful to the Lord that I have found someone in whom I can sacrifice things up to make me better. Goodness knows that sometimes when my hands are too weak to lift, she will provide the extra strength to do so...and I will definitely do the same for her. In giving it all up to God together, we can participate and be living examples of His dream for us!

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