Perception

Sometimes the world can make us feel small. It’s not hard somedays, when there is crowded place with so many voices came from all directions. Insistent that you have to show something for who you are and what you have to offer. What you hold in your heart - faith, hope, and love - can feel inadequate. 

When looking around society it is easy to fall into the pattern of accepting what others have to offer. Been tempted to put hopes and dreams back into your pocket and close the door of your heart to the possibility of who you really are. The need to conform, to act the same as all others who carry the same ‘label’ as you. 

What happened to individuality? What happened to change? Where is the point of difference? Do we even know what these words mean….. individuality, uniqueness, change, difference… 

I am left feeling that while at times this is a norm for some cultures, when it clashes with another way of difference, it is changed to a point of conflict, to a point of asking for one thing and then demanding another. Like jumping between two dimensions, snapping up the best of both worlds. 

Apart of me, that inner me, says let it go, hand it over and don’t fall into the trap of listening to those voices. Step closer to the one Voice who knows me, who created me with all that I am. Let His complete understanding and love wash over me.

There is always two sides to look at things. When I was back with Australian community, realisation of negative and positive was dwelt upon a lot. Negative and positive actions, thinking and response. I feel at times we are at a critical point of choice and the impact is profound. 

Reading Joan Chittister book, she speaks of prophets of the time. Prophets voices are often not heard, or they work away quietly creating change and most often having conflict along this journey. There is always tension when change is occurring, this is human nature and I am very aware of this. When we come to a moment of change given away to acceptance, to a point of indifference where no prophet steps forward. 

Joan express what in all situations or cross roads we have three possible options. 

First is to quit the road ahead as we simply do not want to go. The outcome can be one of change directions or stop at that point distancing ourselves from the difficulties presented or simply leave the situation uncompleted. 

Second choice is to surrender to the situation and revert to the comfort of what we know, what is familiar. Simply return to what we once knew and become ‘nice and warm’. 

Third choice is to refuse to accept the situation and continue in it, stay with the difficulties presented even when unsure what we will find at the end. This choice is to follow the path of the prophets. To echo the voices of those who walked before us speaking up and giving the vision of the Lord to the world. It requires great courage, as often voices are not heard. It requires risk, it is at times fruitless and without its own reward. 

LIFE SHRINKS OR EXPANDS IN PROPORTION TO ONE’S COURAGE

Anais Nin

The prophets had a choice

So do we.

Been a prophet is not for everyone yet those who are called to it… wow….. 

To weigh in the positive and negative in light of the prophet and choice; all I can express is that to be a prophet of our time would be a great honour for the Lord to use me in this way. What a mission…. Maybe I am one already, or maybe the preparation for this undertaking is occurring, or maybe I am simply supporting many other prophets of our time.