Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Setting the World on Fire

St. Ignatius said, "Go forth and set the world on fire". Each one of us is fueled by the Holy Spirit, the presence of God living and working in our souls. It is the voice in the back of your head that tells you what you should be doing. It is the voice in your heart that pulls you in the right direction. It is the fire of joy that we are each called to share with those around us: to spread the fire of love to the world. What are the gifts you've been given? How can you use those talents and abilities to better the world around you? Find what both benefits the world and brings you the most joy at the same time. It is in this position that you can best utilize what you have been given and glorify God.

In leaving this place I've called home for four years I feel ready. I have been given tools to help navigate life: faith, love, and cura personalis. 

Faith. It is my faith that powers my life and guides what I do. I want my life to be in service of others and in service of God. "Whatever you did for the least of these you did unto me" (Matthew 24:36). In walking by faith I know God will put me where I am supposed to be and there is an immense freedom in letting Him be in control. This is easier said than done, but the times I feel most at peace are directly related to the times I give control to God and trust He has a plan for me. Someone once told me to imagine the best thing I could imagine. Then, she said, can you fathom that whatever God has in store will make you 1,000 times happier? In the hardest times I have to remember that God always works in my best interest. Whether I can see it or not, I have faith He will show me in His time the reason for everything.  

Love. Love for life, love for others, love for God. Love is another kind of joy that fills one's heart. God created us to be in community with one another and to live a life filled with love. Love is not lust. It is sacrifice, kindness, fellowship, support, and compassion. God is love. Love is laying down your life as Christ did for us. The greatest commandment God gave us is to "love the Lord God with all your heart, soul, and mind, and love your neighbor as yourself" (Matthew 22:37-39). What does that mean? To me, finding love in life is finding God in all things and people and committing my life to be one of service to God. If I strive to treat each person I meet with the same compassion I wish to receive, I am sharing the love of Christ. This life is not about me, it is for a greater purpose. I am here to be an instrument of God's love.

Cura Personalis. Latin for "care of the person". This concept refers to the whole person and finding a balance of caring for one's mind, body, and spirit. A wise mentor taught me not to "glorify busyness", but to focus my energy in places that fuel me and move away from the situations that drain me. I am much more successful and consistent in areas where I focused energy and am not spread thin. Busyness can pull me away from where God is calling me because I don't have time to listen. I am entering into a quiet two months where I will focus on music and the art of writing and recording. That is where God is calling me right now.For the time being, this is what will fuel my mind and spirit.

So as I set out with a nursing degree and a song in my heart I aim to let my life express love, find God in all things, trust that God will put me where I'm supposed to be, and care for my mind, body and spirit. In following these steps I can be the best "me" and more effectively set the world on fire. 


 

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