"You are a love song beauty set to music You are a love song I have chosen you." ~ Theresa HuculThis evening, at our Ash Wednesday service, everyone will be offered a mask when they arrive. During the service people will be invited to either draw or write on their masks something they want to fast on and/or something on which they desire to feast while journeying through Lent. The masks will be collected and burned, trusting that God holds our past and our tomorrow. I think this shedding of masks is similar to Joyce's insights for today.
"Too often people want someone else's spirituality rather than their own. I've discovered that the more I am conscious and accepting of God's love for me, the more I can accept myself and the unique way that my spiritual path unfolds. God created each of us out of love. We are beauty set to music. We are one-of-a-kind, unique, meant to be a light of love in transforming our world." (J. Rupp, Cup of Life, p 26)The reflection from today's Cup of Life reading:
"Hold the cup in your hands.
Notice its style, shape, color, size.
Be conscious of yourself as a cup held in God's hands.
Accept your uniqueness and your goodness.
Thank God for creating you as you are." (Ibid)
Some days it may be difficult to accept oneself as being that cherished, as being that important. Yet, Jeremiah tells us"
5"Before I shaped you in the womb, I knew all about you. Before you saw the light of day, I had holy plans for you..." (Jeremiah 1:5)You and I were shaped by God's hands. Wow... I invite you to right click on this video, reflecting on this truth. One Pair of Hands
Joyce suggests we journal, choosing one or more..
"When I think about God loving me unconditionally as I am, I..."
"As I pray through these six weeks of spiritual guidance, I most desire..."
"Dear God...(write a letter, a song, a psalm, a poem...to God). (Ibid)
Many Blessings as you begin this Lenten journey ~ Sandi
I began today. How blessed can we be that you were called to reach out to us, Sandi. I have sat in church watching so many committed Christians, but not sharing their vision, their passions. In one sense I envy them, but I've realized I can't see faith in their way because I'm not them. Rupp allows for this difference in the passage you quoted. What grace, what pardon. This first day, she spoke so personally to me.
ReplyDeleteI must admit, that the first few days of my journey with the book, I had to overcome my "frustration" with the use of the term "Sophia". God led me to journal, pray, and research this - now 10 days later... I can go back and say He is faithful. I prayed that I would learn from the lessons and not be bogged down by the "stuff". He allowed me to wrestle with it but not be overcome by it. Praise be for the Holy Spirit's ability to intercede on my behalf.
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