What do we desire most? Intelligence? Love? Freedom from rules? Do we pray for things that make us comfortable or that will comfort others? What do we wish to do with the things we have obtained?
I begin my prayers by saying, “Dear Lord, …” and carry on to other “more important” requests. I pray for my body, my soul, my mind and my happiness. After I list my burdens and request relief, I finish with, “In Jesus’ name, Amen.” Lying in bed, my heart feels heavy, and my mind is plagued. I failed to pray for family or give thanks. I live in luxury and meander through life carelessly, forgetting about so many important things — things that I already have. It is interesting that I never forget to complain about what I lack or the burdens that have been placed upon me.
Our minds are sullied with time and aggravation. Our livesprogress through each disquieting minute with aching bodies. Do we keep walking, hating every moment? Or do we take a seat and rest? This restful moment allows stillness, a chance to quench our discouraged spirits.
As you settle and perceive, you look back at how far you have come, wondering how you have done it. And looking ahead, you wonder how you will ever make it. Your heart grows stronger with every breath, shoulders at ease, and you’ve healed. Appreciating your achievements, you feel a need to thank something higher than yourself because you know you were not alone. Following an invisible presence along the way, you find weary companions struggling, clearly relying on their mere human strength, cursing their bodies and casting blame. You are glad that you were not too proud to deny a moment of rest that changed your journey’s route.
When we pray for comfort and love, usually we are praying for things we already have. So we must be somewhat blind to what we are given, enchanted by greed and the need to fight back at whatever seems to be limiting us. Should we change our perspective? Some of the things appearing to control us are actually protecting us, as we have asked God to do. We pray for these things, God provides, but we interpret the answer with our ego, and thus, we see it as punishment instead of blessing. We have unique minds, eccentric beliefs that augment our faith and different means of pleasing the Lord, but I believe that if we ask something of God, we need to be ready for the answer because it might come with instructions. I feel that instead of dealing with the rules that accompany answered prayers, I force rules onto God.
True, guidelines are notcontemporaries’ idea of joyous living, but what if they are a part of God’s plan? If we have asked for it, shouldn’t we be less hasty to disparage these gifts?
I am in store for radical change.Why? Because I desirepositivity, joy in the things that I never noticed. I desire the desires of God, and instead of choosing how to use my gifts and all I have obtained, I want Him to choose. Suddenly, the path is refined, and I see a celestial glow. God is my moment of rest, dear friends, and I hope the same for you.
