APPLYING THE GIFTS
TOPIC #7
Oswald Chambers said it well -- “In intercession you bring the person or the circumstance that impinges on you before God until you are moved by His attitude towards that person or circumstance.” This makes more sense to me – instead of asking God to fix something, I ask Him for the grace I need to see the person or situation through the eyes of God. Then I will know what to do beyond that.
Every trial, ours or of those we come in contact with, is a learning experience; every trial does some good. Doors can open up to us when we look for the good in the bad. God Himself focuses on the good, and can remove the trial when its purpose is accomplished for those who have interceded.
I never used to believe praying for others was anything more than an exercise in holiness, and that if it seemed that the prayers brought about a reversal it was coincidental. To me, if God wanted to do something for someone else He was perfectly capable of doing it without my say so, making intercessory prayer a bit of arrogance. Now I see intercessory prayer as both a response to God's desire for us to ask of Him, and a fulfillment of God's wish for us to think of others with faith and trust in Him. The good that comes of that to ourselves is both the purpose of the suffering and the means to end it.
Our own intercession heals twice. Whenever we wish for the healing of others, the healing has a purpose above and beyond an end to one person's suffering. Our compassion teaches us something else in every case – evil and suffering is not the correct state of the world. If we immerse ourselves in partnership with God to alleviate it, we develop the love of God and neighbor that conquers it.
It's not enough that we walk the mystic's path – we must also leave breadcrumbs along the path for others to follow where we've been. God doesn't put lights on the road; He shines at the end of it so we know our goal. The way is lit by our own shining gift of grace so that all may see where the right path is, and want to come close. From there, when we hand the person over to God, He takes the exact correct action for that person – maybe not the same action that was good for us, because we don't all follow the same path, but the right action after all.
Often I think that I'm not pleasing God because I'm not in a position to do very much for others. This is wrong-thinking in two ways. Not only do I please God by my desire no matter what I'm slated to accomplish beyond that, but it's God's decision, not mine, as to how I can best serve. Once we let God's love into our spirits, He lets us know what to do, what to say, where to go, who to witness to. We have to be willing to do His bidding no matter what form it takes, because He knows the best way to go.
Each to his own measure, God allows us to do what we do for others and for Him. We are not all in a position to go to Africa or to the ghetto. But when we get our guidance from God, our assignment will be just as pleasing to Him whether it involves great sacrifice or small. We shouldn't be judging ourselves by the work of others – what's important is that we are doing what we're moved to do out of unity with God, who knows what's best for us in His master plan.
One of my favorite parables illustrates this perfectly. In Matthew 20:1-16 is the story of the laborers in the vineyard who agreed to a wage for a day's work; then argued with the owner for giving the same wage to workers who came along later in the day. We are all going to be saved; to enjoy eternal life with God. We do the good that we do out of gratitude for this. We all get the same gift, so no matter what God decides is right for someone else along the way, the important thing is that what is allotted to us is right for us.
The way isn't always smooth, though. Sometimes we have trouble trusting that God is there for us. Sometimes we can't hear Him through the clutter of our own lives. Sometimes we don't know what He wants us to do. In each case, the best relief is to get simple and go back to Him in prayer to ask for guidance. It's our humility that identifies us to ourselves as on the right track. Our prayer, done humbly and sincerely, is the teaching tool we need in times of dryness and doubt and fear.
Is it better to go ahead with what we think we should be doing for God and using how He reacts as a guideline of His approval, or should we wait for God to make the first move so we're sure of the rightness of our work? I haven't had this question worked out for me, although I've asked it often. I suspect it's a little of both – we should always listen for God's word on what we're doing to apply our gifts, but if we would take the initiative I think God would bring us down gently if we weren't pleasing Him in His plan.
Apply what you learn; don't be afraid of good works, thinking you're trying to bribe God. God knows your motives. Help people and win souls for God too. There's much to be done – God will tell you what and how.
SUGGESTED READINGS FOR LECTIO DIVINA:
Matthew 20:1-16
Galatians 6:1-10
Philippians 2:1-18
Titus 3:7-8
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