When we think of our spiritual journey, our mind pictures a trip we are taking to arrive at a particular destination. It can also refer to a journey we will take as we discover more about who we are and where we are headed. The Jewish people eventually came to the realization that their identity and faith rested on three basic understandings. They were called to a particular land, they were eventually united under a king, and all was made visible to the world with the building of a magnificent temple. This was a part of God’s covenant with them. But something happened. Life brought them war in which they had to surrender their land. A king no longer ruled them, and the temple that they built for God was destroyed.
This crisis of faith caused times of darkness and even despair as the Jewish people were forced to live in a distant land. Where was the God who had made promises with them? Maybe God did not abandon them. Being forced into submission called them to go deeper into who they were and where they were headed. Maybe they came to realize the land they longed for was God, the ground of who they were. Maybe the leadership they longed for rested in them as they were called to share their spiritual life and know-how with the community. Maybe the temple that gave them comfort rested within them.
We Christians can grow deeper in our quest of spiritual growth when we realize that God is the ground of our being, that serving the community is our call to leadership, and that Christ abides within us to bring us God’s love and direction.
- Have you wanted to grow deeper in your faith?
- What challenges lie ahead as you travel your spiritual journey?
- How could this awareness of your calling lead to a renewal of the Church?
O God, help me to rest on the ground of your love.