The Blessings of Our Path

Prayer-Soldier · Posted: Sat Jul 20, 2013 10:51 pm Post subject: The Blessings of Our Path

The Blessings of Our Path

Scripture:

And the Lord appeared to him in the vale of Mambre as he was sitting at the door of his tent, in the very heat of the day. And when he had lifted up his eyes, there appeared to him three men standing near to him: and as soon as he saw them, he ran to meet them from the door of his tent, and adored down to the ground. And he said: Lord, if I have found favor in your sight, pass not away from your servant. But I will fetch a little water, and wash your feet, and have you rest under the tree. And I will set a morsel of bread, and strengthen your heart, afterward you shall pass on: for therefore are you come aside to your servant. And they said: Do as you have spoken.

Abraham made haste into the tent to Sara, and said to her: Make haste, temper together three measures of flour, and make cakes upon the hearth. And he himself ran to the herd, and took from thence a calf, very tender and very good, and gave it to a young man, who made haste and boiled it. He took also butter and milk, and the calf which he had boiled, and set before them: but he stood by them under the tree. And when they had eaten, they said to him: Where is Sara your wife? He answered: Lo she is in the tent. And he said to him: I will return and come to you at this time, life accompanying, and Sara, your wife, shall have a son. ( Genesis 18:1-10a )

Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you and fill up those things that are wanting of the sufferings of Christ, in my flesh, for his body, which is the church: Whereof I am made a minister according to the dispensation of God, which is given me towards you, that I may fulfill the word of God: The mystery which has been hidden from ages and generations, but now is manifested to his saints, To whom God would make known the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ, in you the hope of glory. Whom we preach, admonishing every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. ( Colossians 1:24-28 )

Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain town: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who, sitting also at the feet of the Lord, heard his word. But Martha was busy about much serving. Who stood and said: Lord, have you no care that my sister has left me alone to serve? Speak to her therefore, that she help me. And the Lord answering, said to her: Martha, Martha, you are careful and are troubled about many things: But one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the best part, which shall not be taken away from her. ( Luke 10:38-42 )

Reflection:

From the moment we were conceived in the womb, we are set in motion to cross the paths of others. The first life we touch is that of our mother as she feels the life growing within her, our first contact with the world. Before we ever see the light of day, many voices will speak of us and what may become of us. Some will seek to feel us as we move in the womb, pondering what paths we may walk.

For each of us, He has a plan, but to each of us, He leaves to us the choice as to what we do and how we respond to His call. Despite the routine of our paths, not every day will be the same. There will be days He will open doors and there will be days He will close doors. It is up to us to seize the opportunity of that which is opened to us before the moment passes where the door will be forever closed. We do not know the time, we do not know the hour, but it is how we prepare our heart which will determine what is possible from our hands should we hear His call. What may not seem possible will be made possible for us if we approach each day and respond to each challenge with faith.

As children, we begin with innocence, but as we interact with the world, evil seeks to corrupt us. Only He is the path away from the corruption of our souls. Through the wisdom of His Word is the path to love for every heart and peace for the land. The ways of the world seek to keep this blessing from us, but should it happen, the fault is ours for what we open which should remain closed and the sin which we allow to eat at our souls. Through prayer, we may ask Him to cleanse our soul so that we may close the door to evil and open the door to the blessings of His grace, mercy and eternal love. Through prayer, we may ask for the gift to discern the wisdom of His Word and how we might encourage one another to share the embrace and blessings of love.

As we walk our paths, we are tempted to judge those with whom we talk and with whom we walk. We are tempted to compare our endeavors to theirs. We are tempted to envy their blessings and overlook their burdens. We judge life in what transpires in a small moment and the evil within us cries out in anger that we do not have what is in the hands of another or that our burden is unfair. We may look at moments with remorse as to the opportunities which we have not had, but all is folly under the expanse of time. Rather than morn the blessings we have not had, we should pray with thanks and praise for the many blessings brought to our path.

Envy leads us down crooked paths and fills our heart with anger and venom. We do not know the entire journey of another or what fortune or misfortune will test them. We may free our heart of trouble and needless pain if we do not compare blessings, but instead, offer our thanks in prayer for the blessings of our moment and rejoice in the blessings of others. Neither should we compare the burdens of our cross, for we do not truly know the weight of that of another unless we bring it upon ourselves. No matter the burdens of this time, it will pass, for He is the one who has taken the burden of the generations upon His soldiers so that as we enter His kingdom, we shall leave all burdens behind.

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