Ruth: Chapter 7: Discerning God's Will

This is a practical chapter as we should be attempting to discern God's will in ALL aspects of our life.  I was just talking yesterday with my spiritual director about the opportunity we have of possibly joining a secular order of Discalced Carmelites. Discernment needed. We also talked about how much time I can realistically take for prayer each day and still handle the other responsibilities of life. Discernment needed ... and what about that car I want to buy. Is that God's will or should we keep the old one?  It is not always easy to discern God's will even when we are intentional about it yet our book reminds us that "anything we do has meaning and value only if it is according to God's will."  I appreciated the reminder that even Jesus prayed to do the will of the Father. This is again an example for us.

It was good to have a couple guidelines:

1.  Pray daily for the grace to know and do God's will faithfully. Ask the Holy Spirit to act in and through us to keep us from doing anything against the will of God.

2.  Know that God usually reveals His will gradually as we are ready to handle it while often only later grasping His meaning and purpose.  

I have a good example of this.  One day my husband and I were traveling to a Catholic conference about 7 hours away and we were with another couple.  I had been having these thoughts that it was too bad there were not good Catholic women's conferences in our area.  I finally mentioned this thought to the girlfriend who was with us.  We just kind of lightheartedly joked about it but the thought had been verbalized finally and the seed planted.  When we were at the conference there was an awesome female speaker who we ended up talking to and, yes, six months later we hosted our first conference and we are now co-chairs of a Catholic apostolate that offers Catholic conferences and retreats in our area. (for more of the story read: http://www.springtimeofhope.org/roadtriptoreality.html).  If God had told me in a dream to start an apostolate like that I would have ignored the idea or thought I was delusional to even dream about it. It started by the Lord giving me an idea that matured into us doing His will. He gradually led us to we are at today.  Now we are still and very intentionally trying to discern our way.  We do the same in our private lives.  I see the Lord's hand in bringing me to meet my spouse but only in hindsight. There are so many examples when we look in hindsight.

I also like the reminder that "He who is faithful in little things is faithful also in much." LK 16:10.  I also like how the author reminded us that we have to be living as faithful Christians before we can expect the Lord to use us. I can't be living the 10 Commandments according to me and expect to hear the voice of the Lord or walk humbly with our Lord.  It takes humility of spirit and submission to God's will. Thank God for Reconciliation.

I am so appreciative that I have a guide to help me on my journey who can question my motives and give another perspective on a spiritual issue.

The last quote in this book "Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening" is one I have been praying for years .... but do I always listen?  .... "We want to prepare ourselves to hear the Lord when He speaks and then, in humble service, be ready to faithfully carry out His will."  That last sentence to this chapter is a great goal.