Categories: prayer, interesting-sites, spiritual-journey, podcasts
Date: 09 March 2010 19:54:47
I have started listening to some of the podcasts from Ancient Faith Radio by Steve the Builder, whose website Pithless Thoughts I linked to last week. I recommend not only his website but also his podcasts for based on the few I have listened to they contain much wisdom and are presented in an engaging manner, Steve using the events of his life to give us practical advice on how to live as an Orthodox Christian. This sharing of his life is particular draws me in as, as with blogs, I find it a great joy and privilege to be let into the everyday happenings of people's lives.
I have not progressed far in quantity with Steve's podcasts because, after listening to a few, I listened to the podcast The Will of God for My Life, and then re-listened four times [thus far]; not only is there much to take in but is thoughts are particularly relevant to me at this time. Through a focus on the wandering of the Israelites in the Desert, recalled as he drove through the desert to a monastery, Steve showed that we often all-too-easily see the destination as what should consume and occupy our minds, rather than being formed and being what we are called to do at the moment we are in.
If this sounds familiar it is because I know I mentioned it in another podcast in a blog last month; and I recall a similar exhortation in another podcast I listened to last month, this one from Jottings from a Holy Mountain -- interestingly the same monastery Steve was headed for during the recording of this podcast [which is one of seven of his "On the Road" podcasts; there are also photos accompanying this series: day one is here, and the others are in his May archives.]
With the efforts within Great Lent, as well as my various mental and emotional struggles, I have been thinking a great deal lately of "What is God's will for me?", and trying to look for signs [often a dangerous thing I know; God forgive me] that confirm I am headed towards "where God wants me to be". As Steve commented however, we often have these ideas about where God wants us to be and put plans in place we hope to follow in the belief they will lead us where we want to be. But what we often find is that we are being led, sometimes forced, towards various experiences that we may not particularly enjoy at the time or even understand what is happening to us or what we are supposed to be learning from.
Rather than getting there by our own way, God has His Way, and God takes us on a rather long journey as He did the Israelites in the desert. And it is this 'wandering through the desert' that prepares and forms us to make us ready for the destination. We cannot get to the destination without proper formation and learning, and what matters is how are preparing ourselves. Steve commented on the Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins that while they had the same goal [the wedding], the preparation was what distinguished the Wise Virgins from the Foolish. As he summed up, "What God is concerned with us is Who we are, regardless of where we are going."
This is rather liberating, though also a challenging call to prepare and strive at every moment. Similar to Steve's comparison of the Israelites journey to Canaan, to me, Great Lent, is a journey also: a journey to the Feast of Feasts, Pascha [Easter]. Of course, it is a great joy and blessing to arrive at Pascha, but, if I have understood correctly, the journey, how we spend each day preparing ourselves, by prayer, fasting, charity, and more, is what transforms us to be more and more Christ-like, and what transforms us so that we can see the true joy and blessing of Pascha, for we have struggled to get there. And, while I will say my ascetical efforts in Great Lent are often a pale shadow of what the Orthodox Church calls us to, in my experience Pascha is that much more joyful and full of light and hope when I have partaken of the Lenten services and prayers offered, the fasting called to [however much I fail it] and the increased effort of charity, among other things.
Steve ended his podcast with this prayer from the Fathers of the Optina Elders; I will end this post with it too:
Grant unto me, O Lord, that with peace of mind I may face all that this new day is to bring.
Grant unto me to dedicate myself completely to Thy Holy Will.
For every hour of this day, instruct and support me in all things.
Whatsoever tidings I may receive during the day, do Thou teach me to accept tranquilly, in the firm conviction that all eventualities fulfill Thy Holy Will.
Govern Thou my thoughts and feelings in all I do and say.
When things unforeseen occur, let me not forget that all cometh down from Thee.
Teach me to behave sincerely and rationally toward every member of my family, that I may bring confusion and sorrow to none.
Bestow upon me, my Lord, strength to endure the fatigue of the day, and to bear my part in all its passing events.
Guide Thou my will and teach me to pray, to believe, to hope, to suffer, to forgive, and to love. Amen.