Categories: hymns, spiritual-journey
Date: 17 December 2010 20:49:09
I was received into the Orthodox Church.
[the photos linked there are longer available; some can be seen here]
I am not sure I can be said to be any wiser or more Christ-like; it seems trite phrases such as 'The more you learn the less you know' are not to be dismissed: I can definitely see its truth in terms of my spiritual journey. This year, and especially the current lead-up to Christmas [the Orthodox rejoicing in a longer name: The Feast of the Nativity According to the Flesh of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ], has shown my thoughts 5 years ago that in 5 years time I'd be a much better Christian -- whatever that meant; it sounded worthy at the time -- to be unrealistic and way off the mark.
Though at the same time, looking back, I see moments of grace shining through; I see streams of God's grace in the madness of my mental and emotional states, primarily through the love, presence and words of advice or comfort of family, friends and Internet acquaintances; I see some hard lessons that resulted in growth, sometimes strangled by weeds, sometimes rootless and withering, but also at times growing, however small and steady: your prayers are valued as I attempt, with the help, grace and mercy of God, to continue to cultivate these as I am able.
Through the prayers of St John Climacus and St Sebastian, whose Feast Day it is today in the Orthodox Church, may God have mercy on us all.