Be with him in order to go for him!

Hi!

A few random thoughts that I hope I can tie together at the end.

Recently I have become more aware of the amount of noise we live with. TV, radio, i-Pods, bass speakers in cars booming out rap beats, constant communications via text messaging, instant messaging, e-mail, blogging, voice mail, phone calls, and on it goes seemingly, endlessly. Maybe you are aware of this and have thought about how it impacts your life. I have been thinking about it a bit more recently in regards to my relationship to the Lord. And how it affects my ability to listen to him.

Next thought! I remember being in Poland shortly after the collapse of Communism. I was talking with a friend who is a Polish Catholic. I shared with him some thoughts on something we needed to take action on regarding a common mission project. He told me he would think about it. - Reflection.

He wanted to take time to process what had been discussed. It wasn't based on the fact that he was an introvert, it was simply that in his way of thinking, reflection was an important part of the decision making process we were involved with. Actually it was clearly more a part of his whole way of living. There are times when you must make snap decisions but many times that is not the case. Anyhow, the point was that he was accustomed to taking more time in his life to think and ponder certain things than I think I was. For example, in the last few days in my prayer times I have heard the Lord speaking to me about his will through a couple of Scripture verses. I am attempting to pause and reflect throughout the day on those passages and allow the Holy Spirit to impart grace to embrace what He wants for me.

For those of us who are involved with the new evangelization, with sharing the joy of the whole world, - the person of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, and the invitation to relationship with him, - the issue of noise and reflection are crucial to consider.

In Psalm 46: 10 we read, "Be still and know that I am God."(RSV) The Jerusalem Bible says,"Pause awhile and know that I am God."

To be effective in our daily lives as everyday apostles the most crucial dimension of our lives is union with God. It's daily personal prayer. It is the hidden time with God alone. It has to do with making time to "be with him in order to go for him"(See Mark 3:14). This is something that we can all continually grow in. At times we may need to be renewed in this first calling on our lives, and stop and think about how to grow in personal prayer with the Lord. Going off alone in quite for an appointed time each day, to praise and thank him, to listen and reflect to his word in Scripture and the lives of the saints, to pause a while in our busy noisy lives is life giving for us.

And in order to give the gift of Life himself to others, we need to receive from him each day. It certainly comes to us in the Eucharist, but it should also come from daily personal prayer. Time where we go off to be with God.

Think about your life and if personal prayer is a priority. Making some simple decisions about what time is best for me and where can I have this special appointment with God can be a good way of getting going.

I have been devoted to personal prayer for over 36 years now. There have been all kinds of bumps in the road of life, and times and seasons that vary how and when it happens BUT, it has happened on a regular basis and - It has been life changing! During this month, I have heard the Lord inviting me to spend extra times with him. How about you? He wants to be with you! Incredible isn't it?

Be with him in order to go for him!