Has the Lenten Season helped you to grow in your relationship with God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit? I wish I could say yes, but I feel stuck. I am not even sure my Lenten practices of prayers, fasting, and almsgiving come from the heart.
Frankly, sometimes I feel as though I am merely going through motions to meet certain requirements of faith. Growing beyond the many thoughts, emotions, hang-ups, habits, and other daily distractions remains a challenge. Meanwhile wine and chocolate await my return.
Without patience, the slow pace of spiritual growth is discouraging. However, all hope is not lost. The coming of Easter with beautiful signs of spring certainly lifts the heart. Celebrating our Lord’s Resurrection as flowers come to life is wonderful to behold. Spring has definitely sprung!
Follow Directions
While some flowers mature faster than others, what grows from the heart of their seeds leaves behind the shell from whence they came. As a seed must open for life to grow, so must we to grow spiritually, regardless of how long it takes. For this purpose, God became man. Jesus Christ our Savior is the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him [Hebrews 5:9].
Just as a seed needs the light, warmth, and nourishment from the sun, we need the Son of God. United with Christ, by way of the Holy Spirit, we grow in God’s love. Then from our heart to God, the beauty and joy of our Lord’s loving goodness comes to life in our homes, our communities, and our world. We become channels of life for others.
Therefore, whenever I get muddled, I remind myself of the saying: “When all else fails, follow directions.” How do we know that we are following our Lord’s direction? From the heart we decide for or against God. Regardless of what we feel, if our decisions pull us from the way, the truth, and the life of Jesus Christ, we pull away from God. “The Father and I are one,” said Jesus [John 10:30].
New Life Begins
As much as I love seeing the budding flowers and trees in the spring, the beauty that occurs beneath the ground is hidden from view. Similarly, interior spiritual growth occurs out of sight. Therefore, let us not grow discouraged by what we do not see or feel. What’s more, clinging to what holds us back spiritually is not the way to grow closer to our Lord from the heart. Remember, the joy that God offers us is endless.
By his life, death, and Resurrection, Christ raises us up. He opens Heaven to us. Are we open to Heaven? Sometimes I think of Jesus reproaching the scribes and Pharisees. Our Savior said: “Even so, on the outside you appear righteous, but inside you are filled with hypocrisy and evildoing” [Matthew 23:28]. Better to be filled with humility. As Christ explained: “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted” [Luke 18:14].
Spiritual growth requires humility. Should we act like the scribes and Pharisees, we will never break through our shell. We will remain buried, rather than grow in self-knowledge and understanding. However, recognizing our sins and praying for our Lord’s mercy, our new life begins—united with our Savior—from the heart. Amen!
1 thought on “From the Heart”
HE has risen! Carol I applaud your humility as you begin your writing. Then your reflection on “ hidden growth” reminded me of that truth! Also answering your own question: the Growth you have experienced, the realization of His closeness is hidden ( for now!) as He waits for the right time for it to show its beauty!