Sunday, June 10, 2012

Today’s text

2 Corinthians 4:16

That is why we do not waver; indeed, though this outer human nature of ours may be falling into decay, at the same time our inner human nature is renewed day by day.

Reflection

We do not know, and that is what is most distressing for our souls.

Life happens, challenges come, victories and wounds, love and loss. Each moment is a tiny piece of a great drama whose ending we do not see, the story of what the Spirit of God is doing to renew our inner nature … and all creation.

Most often we cannot see what the Spirit is doing, what gift or strength, what courage or joy might appear in the midst of difficult times … or our many average days ruled by the regularity of routine.

The Spirit is not governed by our anxiousness to know how things will turn out, to see what renewal or restoration may appear.

Our task is to live, a day at a time, waiting and watching … or perhaps not.

Perhaps the greatest wisdom is simply to live, to love, to give yourself to the work and souls that surround us, not getting too disturbed … or elated … by the moment at hand … or any moment.

Perhaps it is best not to worry about seeing what renewal God’s Spirit will bring, for that distracts our vision from the present moment which is all we really have.

We can take the long view, trusting that God is working, knowing that the Spirit will do what the Spirit does … give life. Waiting for that fresh breath, we attend to the daily, the now, the need of the moment, knowing … just knowing that grace will come. Blessing will fill us.

The Spirit will breathe renewing life and hope, love and vigor into our souls even when troubles bring sadness and deadening routine wears us low.

Nothing is lost or wasted. Nothing. All that has been, all that is and will be is swept into the great drama of what Love is doing in our little souls.

Our eyes may see nothing at any given moment, nothing but years and yearning, loss and decay. But the Spirit lives and breathes … into us … the renewing breath of life so that we might breathe free and sing songs of life, trusting that renewal and life will come to our souls … day by day.

May we see your life today, dear One? If it is all the same to you, might we not feel, if only for a precious moment, the breath of new life blowing through our souls … that we may know?

Pr. David L. Miller