Can We Imagine?

Prayer-Soldier · Posted: Sun May 26, 2019 4:24 pm Post subject: Can We Imagine?

Can We Imagine?

Scripture:

But they, passing through Perge, came to Antioch in Pisidia: and, entering into the Synagogue on the sabbath day, they sat down.

And when the synagogue was broken up, many of the Jews and of the strangers who served God followed Paul and Barnabas: who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God. But the next sabbath day, the whole city almost came together, to hear the word of God. And the Jews, seeing the multitudes, were filled with envy and contradicted those things which were said by Paul, blaspheming. Then Paul and Barnabas said boldly: To you it behooved us first to speak the word of God: but because you reject it and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold we turn to the Gentiles. For so the Lord has commanded us: I have set you to be the light of the Gentiles: that you may be for salvation unto the utmost part of the earth. And the Gentiles hearing it were glad and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to life everlasting believed. And the word of the Lord was published throughout the whole country. But the Jews stirred up religious and honorable women and the chief men of the city: and raised persecution against Paul and Barnabas: and cast them out of their coasts. But they, shaking off the dust of their feet against them, came to Iconium. And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.
(Acts 13:14, 43-52)

After this, I saw a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations and tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and in sight of the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands.

And I said to him: My Lord, you know. And he said to me: These are they who are come out of great tribulation and have washed their robes and have made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore, they are before the throne of God: and they serve him day and night in his temple. And he that sits on the throne shall dwell over them. They shall no more hunger nor thirst: neither shall the sun fall on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb, which is in the midst of the throne, shall rule them and shall lead them to the fountains of the waters of life: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes. (Revelation 7:9, 14-17)

My sheep hear my voice. And I know them: and they follow me. And I give them life everlasting: and they shall not perish forever. And no man shall pluck them out of my hand. That which my Father has given me is greater than all: and no one can snatch them out of the hand of my Father. I and the Father are one.
(John 10:27-30)

Reflection:

Can we imagine a world filled with love and caring souls? Can we imagine living without judging and condemning, but where all encourage and love so all might share the blessings of a more excellent way? (cf. 1 Corinthians 12:31) Can we imagine a world without selfishness, greed, envy, lust, or disordered pride? Can we imagine a world where all endeavor to approach one another with humility, civility, dignity, and respect? Can we imagine the joy which might fill all hearts?

There is a voice which calls to us to lead us to such virtues and the blessings which we might share through them. There is a voice which endeavors to instruct our hearts, not in what we might sow or gather in selfishness, but what we might share through selflessness. It is the voice of the Good Shepherd who endeavors to teach us that all the blessings of love are possible to share.

Those who listen for and follow the voice of the Good Shepherd share in that which is good, but the world raises other voices designed to lure souls away from such blessings. With all the noise which surrounds us and the number of voices which are raised which promote what is evil as good and what is good as evil, (cf. Isaiah 5:20) we might wonder, how are we to know to which voice should we listen? How are we to know the voice which leads us to truth? How are we to know the voice which encourages us to accomplish the purpose for which we were created? How are we to see through the disruptions, deceptions and designs of the evil one?

Indeed, we hear many voices; some soothing, some judging, some condemning, some alarming; yet, through omissions, false testimonies, twists of word and context, and appeals to harmful emotion; these voices are designed to blind and distract innocent hearts from the voice of love and truth. They are designed to confuse us as to what we are to believe. They are designed to turn us away from the virtues through which blessings are shared. They are designed to turn us away from the purpose for which our Creator formed us.

Can we imagine what we might create and experience if we worked in care of one another rather than worrying in envy? Can we imagine the blessings of the world if we worked to encourage one another rather than dominate? Can we imagine what might be possible if we all worked to accomplish the will of our Creator?

The blessings which God desires for us are all possible in this world, but we fail to learn the lessons of the generations which preceded us and those who turned to the ways of the world over the ways of their Creator. Instead, political voices and those of false prophets howl and rage, not for purposes of who can lift up the people to accomplish what God asks of us, but who shall wield power through which to impose the ways of people over the ways of God.

The evil one raises voices to set people against one another, for as the people are distracted and divided, the ways of God are set aside. The evil one cares not how we miss the mark of what God asks of us, only that we do. How, then, are we to hear the voice of the Good Shepherd; the One who speaks quietly to our hearts and invites us to experience His love?

As we spend time in prayer and the study of His Word, we open ourselves to hear the quiet whisper through which He speaks to us. (cf. 1 Kings 19:11-12) As we endeavor to learn the depth of His Word, we hear the voice of the good Shepherd. As we seek to live and share the blessings of His Word, His voice will lead and guide us. Let us, then, listen carefully for Him and allow Him to lead us to the pastures He has prepared for us where the voices of joyful hearts resound and where love is shared by all. (cf. Revelation 7:17, 21:4)

Questions for further reflection:

In what ways does Jesus beckon to us so we might live the blessings of all which He teaches?

In what ways do we lift up our hearts in thanks and praise of the One who seeks to help us survive the great distress created through the ways of the world?

How might we listen for the voice of the Good Shepherd so we might follow Him?

May the peace and blessings of the Lord be with you always,
Prayer Soldier