St. Andrews by the Lake

SECOND WEEK IN LENT

Dear Friends,

     In the mid-90’s, I completed a two year program at the Shalem Institute for Spiritual Guidance. It was a time that greatly deepened my own spiritual journey and I had the opportunity to be influenced by such people as Tilden Edwards, Gerald May and Rosemary Dougherty — foundational people in the area of spiritual guidance and direction.

     One of the books we read was written by Jerry May, “Will and Spirit: A Contemplative Psychology”. In it, he plumbs the distinction between ‘willingness’ and willfulness’.  The difference, he suggests, is not easy to explain; the two sometimes overlap.

     ‘Willingness’ always includes an inner trusting attitude of ‘yes’ to the deep and positive spiritual energy of life that is greater than ourselves.  As religious people we connect that energy with the divine - which creates, sustains, and moves the universe and everything in it.

     On the other hand, ‘willfulness’ is the exercise of our autonomous ego power over some thing, person or circumstance — even over ourselves.  It may or may not be in harmony with a deeper willingness.

     For example, if I were to break through the door of a house to rescue someone from a fire, that would be a ‘willful act’ rising out of a deep ‘willingness’.  But, if I were to break in and rob my neighbor of his or her computer, that would be a willful act’ disconnected from the deeper God-energy of life.

     This coming Sunday, we will be reading the 10 Commandments again. They are a gift given by God to the people of Israel to help them form community, to live in well-being with one another, and to thrive both as individuals and a community.  The 10 Commandments are a ‘way of life’, more than a ‘law’ (as we sometimes think of law).  But they must be lived out of a deep willingness to be connected to the divine energy of life - the One we call ‘God’.  They ask us the question of how ‘willing’ we are to get in tune with the positive energy, the love of God that is simply ours for the asking (and receiving).

     This week, tune into your life’s deepest energy, the Holy Spirit, grace - and let it guide you in helping yourself and others to live into the freedom of life God so generously offers us.

                                         “If you are willing, and obey,

                                you shall eat the good things of the land….(Isa. 1;19)

A Prayer:

We stumble on the journey, O God.

We lose heart along the way.

We forget your promises and blame one another.

 Refresh us with the springs of your spirit in our souls

 and open our senses to your guiding presence,

  that we may be part of the world’s healing this day. Amen

 (from: Celtic Treasure by J. Philip Newell p. 88)

Blessings on your Lenten Journey.    Cindy

Link to website featuring works of Tom Whiten