Awakening

Awakening

Every step you take presents a change: a change in what you are experiencing, what you see in front of you; a change in your thought process. If you are on a journey to find yourself, a mountain hike, or a trek through the park, or even a walk around the block can be a great chance to experience differences and newness. This experience is likely to awaken images or thoughts that bring about an awareness of something prodding you to do something different. You may come to a point of decision, a light in the path, that jostles the thought pattern, a wake-up with new insights. This could be the still, small voice of God guiding you toward a purpose that is larger than yourself.

Who is in Charge?

Now, you may think that you are the one in charge of your life. But have you ever noticed that many of the plans that you thought you had were really half-baked and took you nowhere? Did you ever hear the challenge in your heart: “what are you doing here?” This could be right when you were about to do something you would regret forever. Or it could be while you were wandering around in the wilderness of your worries, or lost in a cave of distress, like Elijah (1Kings 9:9). Or, perhaps, you were startled by a dream or a vision where you heard your name called. Young Samuel, before he became a prophet, heard the Voice calling him in the middle of the night and he finally responded with “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.” (1Samuel 3:9-10).

Purpose

Our Creator has a purpose for us. He engages us with subtle words or flashes of insight. The Creator provided Elijah with nourishment and a new set of tasks during the depths of his despair and fear. Elijah was receptive. Being receptive means that we are aware that we need help, and we are willing to listen. Many people who are now recovering from an addiction will say that when they hit bottom they experienced a vision or a message from their Creator. Samuel was just a young boy, but he was called by God to initiate a new direction for his people. He was willing. We must also be willing to listen. In the Karate Kid, Mr. Miagi made this point by pouring tea into his student’s cup until it ran over. He explained to the Kid, you will not be able to learn until you empty your cup. We must be willing to engage in a purpose that is beyond our selfish interests. It is in humility that we find that receptiveness to explore our purpose. We can engage with the Creator to fill us with light so that we can see, and, understand how to use our gifts to address the needs we find in our communities.

Engaging 

So what does it mean to engage in the purpose? Engage means to step up and take action. Most people want meaning and mission in their lives. It is important that they feel engaged in something that makes a difference. The process of engagement requires awareness. Take the opportunity on your journey to be aware of your gifts and your blessings. It is too easy, even prideful to dwell upon your anger, disappointments, or losses. Think back to the times when you were feeling connected. Or, remember when you used the special talents and gifts that engage you. Consider what kind of problems you helped others to solve. These could be as simple as pulling weeds in Grandma’s garden; or, as challenging as writing a software program that allows people to monitor their blood pressure. Look for the Creator’s guidance. St Augustine said: Pray as though everything depended on God. Work as though everything depended on you(1).

1https://www.brainyquote.com/authors/saint‐augustine‐quotes