Hope for God's Presence In Me
Several variant strands of my prayer life and academic life have converged today. In a way that only He is able, God has knocked at the door of my heart. He has told me of His desire to be fully present in me, thereby filling me with hope.
A passage from the First Letter of Saint John was placed before my eyes early this morning.
It also brought to my mind one of Jesus' statements from early in His public life: "whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin" (Mk 3:29; cf. Lk 12:10). The blasphemy against the Holy Spirit of which the Lord speaks involves attributing the Spirit's works to some lower creature, a human being or even a fallen angel. The reality that Jesus wished to convey is that mercy and forgiveness are offered in every situation, except for those in which pride cannot be overcome. Am I full of pride, attributing to myself the things which God alone has done in and through me? I am reminded that I must pray for His mercy and compassion to be upon me if I ever have been guilty of such blasphemy.
While completing another task, I was presented with the story of Zedekiah, King of Judah. The scriptural record reveals that Zedekiah "did what was evil in the sight of the Lord" (2 King 24:19). Zedekiah was the last in a line of wicked kings, rulers who chose pride and pomp over walking before the Lord in faithfulness (cf. 2 King 20:3). Because of such choices over several generations, because of His people's refusal to repent, the Lord removed His presence from Jerusalem and Judah (cf. 2 King 24:20). At that point, the chosen nation lost hope. They were without God's presence among them. Again, I must ask if I have exhibited the disposition or behavior of these wicked kings? If I have been guilty, will pride or a desire to avoid discomfort prevent me from repenting?
To this very point, a quote showed up in my email inbox this morning. "Repentance," said St. John Climacus, "is the daughter of hope and the renunciation of despair." This simple, yet poignant, sentence reminded me that repentance comes from the hope that is in me; and that hope is fostered by such repentance. Hope is restored, and grows, when God is present to me. With His presence, I am not isolated and I can ward off despair.
I desire God's presence within me and the hope that is engendered from that presence. Therefore, I must acknowledge my sinfulness and repent of my unrighteousness. Only by that way will I be able to walk in hope toward that glorious future that only the Almighty can provide. Repentance restores my hope because it allows me to walk with God again.
A passage from the First Letter of Saint John was placed before my eyes early this morning.
"If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just, and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us" (1 Jn 1:8-10).The passage roused a number of questions and thoughts within. Am I guilty of deceiving myself and making Christ a liar? Do I refuse to acknowledge certain aspects of my life or certain actions that are, indeed, sinful? Have I prayed for the humility to confess every wrong that I have committed, or every right that I have omitted? Have I prayed for His mercy, and to be cleansed from my unrighteousness?
It also brought to my mind one of Jesus' statements from early in His public life: "whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin" (Mk 3:29; cf. Lk 12:10). The blasphemy against the Holy Spirit of which the Lord speaks involves attributing the Spirit's works to some lower creature, a human being or even a fallen angel. The reality that Jesus wished to convey is that mercy and forgiveness are offered in every situation, except for those in which pride cannot be overcome. Am I full of pride, attributing to myself the things which God alone has done in and through me? I am reminded that I must pray for His mercy and compassion to be upon me if I ever have been guilty of such blasphemy.
While completing another task, I was presented with the story of Zedekiah, King of Judah. The scriptural record reveals that Zedekiah "did what was evil in the sight of the Lord" (2 King 24:19). Zedekiah was the last in a line of wicked kings, rulers who chose pride and pomp over walking before the Lord in faithfulness (cf. 2 King 20:3). Because of such choices over several generations, because of His people's refusal to repent, the Lord removed His presence from Jerusalem and Judah (cf. 2 King 24:20). At that point, the chosen nation lost hope. They were without God's presence among them. Again, I must ask if I have exhibited the disposition or behavior of these wicked kings? If I have been guilty, will pride or a desire to avoid discomfort prevent me from repenting?
To this very point, a quote showed up in my email inbox this morning. "Repentance," said St. John Climacus, "is the daughter of hope and the renunciation of despair." This simple, yet poignant, sentence reminded me that repentance comes from the hope that is in me; and that hope is fostered by such repentance. Hope is restored, and grows, when God is present to me. With His presence, I am not isolated and I can ward off despair.
I desire God's presence within me and the hope that is engendered from that presence. Therefore, I must acknowledge my sinfulness and repent of my unrighteousness. Only by that way will I be able to walk in hope toward that glorious future that only the Almighty can provide. Repentance restores my hope because it allows me to walk with God again.
