Photo illustrated by Beverly & Pack
A guest post written by Lani Meanley Collins
For me, it takes concerted daily effort to overcome the hurry and worry – can I get all the things completed and respond to all the people and the circumstances that demand or need attention? I am reluctantly and humbly coming to the conclusion that the answer is, “No, not alone.” I ask, sometimes minute by minute, “Dear Lord, what should I do right now?”
Sharing this idea of reaching out to God is not intended to exclude anyone. The purpose is to raise thought above the din of “life” to the comfort and security of Life in God (or whatever it is you rely upon) especially when the human fails or disappoints. Lifting thought enables each of us to give gratitude for our many blessings.
In my undergraduate work in Religious Studies, I was fascinated when I found common threads running through many religions. For the majority in the world, the higher, holy being is not called Christ. For some it is not even called God. But the concept that there is a higher or wiser something is part of every religion.
The Christ, or whatever you call that higher something, is talking to each of us all of the time. Are we listening? One of the ways He expresses His love to us is by giving us ideas. Ideas come from Him through many different places, persons, and things, in many different ways. Are we, the nation, the world listening? It doesn’t take everyone – although that would be outstanding – it takes some of us listening. At one time it may be you, and at another time it may be me, listening and moving with Him to help leaven the disquiet in the world.
The Bible says, “From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.” What is interesting is that Mary Baker Eddy, the discoverer and founder of Christian Science, defines rock as “Spiritual foundation; Truth” in her well-known book, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures. So, the quote from Psalms could read, “when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to Truth (God) that is higher than I.
My to-do lists (sometimes they feel like worry lists) can sweep me into a state of thinking that is anything but receptive. Are we shutting out inspiration, those angel messengers that speak to us all the time? Or are we letting the angel thoughts lighten the load, guide and move us through our day, leading the way? I cannot think of a single time that I regretted taking a moment to quiet my thought and listen for inspiration.
So the next time you look at your to-do list, or begin to worry about the challenges of a family member, friend, our country, or the world, think about what the psalmist said, “I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.” Inspiration will come. God’s love is here, now.
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Thank you for this important reminder. It clears the way to the calm, strong currents of true spirituality.
Thanks Lani, we all need to be better listeners. And to all our readers of this blog…..Happy Valentines Day everyone!
I loved your concept of a higher, holier thread running through most religions. Lovely thought.
Thank you for this well written article. Listening is so important, followed by an enthusiastic, “yes, I will do that”!
Thank you very much for sharing how you take charge of that to-do list! I will put it into practice…“Dear Lord, what should I do right now?” Heaven sent! Thanks again!
After reading this article and seeing the mention of to-do lists sometimes being almost “worry lists”, surely this should prompt each of us to mentally stop and reach out to that power and spiritual foundation which keeps us calm and focused. I think of it as “recharging” my thought. Just like the tree roots at the waters edge which continuously, as needed, pull in that needed water/nourishment/food/energy/ etc we too can draw on such a source which enables us to overcome that worry thought with confidence. If we label that source as goodness, God, Christ,the supreme power, angel thoughts–what ever–but which has unlimited grace,strength, guidance and refreshment for us, then we can go forward. Once we get a taste of this source, we can call on it at anytime and place. The more we remember to listen and seek this source of everlasting and continuous goodness, we can tackle and overcome what ever the challenge or worry may be. I am grateful this thought is a part of many faiths because it connects us all in good work blessing ourselves and our communities.