Thus, “mysticism” is simply this awareness of God’s presence in and through and with everything for its well-being…. Curiously, this faith in God can free us to live lives of radical change. ... it is the only thing that can. ... this hope frees us from the pressure of outcomes so that we can add our best efforts to the task at hand. -- Theologian Sallie McFague, Fr Richard's Dail Meditations, January 9, 2024
McFague writes about saving the planet, I am using her words and ascribing them to building hope, faith and trust daily.
The promise is that we can come to live lives of radical change dependent on our faith in God, and that faith is the only thing that can get us there. We believe that, but it is looking for future examples that cause us pause. A possible bankruptcy, a likely operation, a what-if breakup...and we relearn, God is not in tomorrow's frets...that's faith's job.
It is only by looking back that proof is available to us. Here's the place where we change our mind...from begging, please, please, please, to grateful, thank you. With our first heartfelt thank you we have hope...this hope frees us from the pressure of outcomes...we have begun to build trust.
Although trust is the result of hope believed in, it often goes amiss...a miss by a mile. Our dearest hope maybe God's I have something better for you. That's trust aborning. If we're doing it right, we cry, kvetch and feel right put upon...then God's words, thank you, tumble out of our mouth, and we are righted.
Looking back we see God's outworking of sticky situations in our life. Even as we realize that and give God all credit, we are looking at the next uh-oh with fear-breathing dread.
This is where we make our inside change...where we put our eyebrows-up faith to work by bringing it down to our heart, our gut, our soul. We welcome that which we dread as we recall Thou prepares a place before me in the presence of my enemies. Oh! It is God who prepares the dreaded place before us. Ah, the peace...I shall fear no evil for Thou art with me.
The hope we have lies in the radical transcendence of God…. God’s transcendence—God’s power of creative, redeeming, and sustaining love—is closer to us than we are to ourselves. -- Ibid.
Thank you.
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