His Purpose at Work

 

“Jesus revealed himself again to his disciples... He said to them, ‘Cast your net over the right side of the boat and you will find something.’” –John 21:1, 6

The apostles are good at what they do. They’re able to provide for their families with the fish they catch. This night, though, they’ve caught nothing. Their usual way of doing things isn’t working. He tells them to cast their nets over the right side. We usually interpret ‘right’ here as being the opposite of left, but if we read it as ‘correct’ the message changes a bit. They do it His way and haul in a boatful of fish.

What about you? Maybe you used to feel productive, but lately you haven’t. Maybe you feel stagnant. Picture yourself telling Jesus how empty life feels sometimes. Imagine Him saying something like this to you:

“You’re doing good things; now, change how you do them. Try My way. Change your attitude from that of ho-hum obligation to one of anticipation and expectation of what I may do through you in your work. Let Me reveal Myself to you and those around you. Drop the attitudes of ‘Is this all there is?’ and ‘There’s nothing to look forward to.’ You have ME to look forward to. Look up and out instead of downcast and you’ll see Me. ‘Cast your net over the right side of your boat and you’ll find something’ -- you’ll find Me.”

Our Lord’s not asking for an attitude adjustment; He’s asking for a purpose adjustment. Look beyond the work itself and see it as part of His mission. You play an important role in His work of loving the world! He needs you to reveal Himself to the people around you. You may see it as only a job, but consider: Your friendly smile may reassure a stressed coworker or customer. The father of a feverish child might offer a silent prayer of thanks when he sees you’ve stocked the store shelf with the medicine his little son needs. The products you sell may be treasured gifts that strengthen friendships. Your compassionate ear may help a young woman feel valuable, which motivates her to take better care of herself. The music you share lifts the spirits of your listeners. The small children you care for will learn from you how to show love and respect to others.

Your way was good; now our Lord may be asking you to let Him show you a more fulfilling way – with Him as your purpose. Let Him use you to reveal His love for the world through your work.

“Lord, I want to work for and with You. Show me the way.”

Thank you for reading my reflection. © 2022 Gina Bedell     Comments are always welcome! Feel free to share it with your friends by clicking on one of the icons below. Thanks!

 

p.s.

We continue to pray for an end to the war. If you’d like to help the people of Ukraine through the Cleveland Maidan Association, you may use either PayPal or a credit/debit card here:

https://www.paypal.com/donate/...

 

Look for Me

 

  “Then the disciples returned home. But Mary (of Magdala) stayed outside the tomb weeping.”

 --John 20:10-11 

Mary couldn’t leave; she stayed there alone, weeping with grief. Something, or Someone, was tugging at her heart. As she wept, she peered into the tomb, searching. She saw two angels sitting where the body of Jesus had been. Then the risen Lord greeted her, allowing her to be the first person to see Him after He rose from the dead (see John 20:11-18).

Our Lord wants us to search for Him, too. Sometimes, we look outside ourselves and find Him in the people and circumstances around us. Look for Him in the new employee humbly trying to learn the ropes. Look for His smile in puppies and kittens. Draw on His patience in slow traffic. Seek His wisdom to guide you in your work. Soak in His peace when the baby’s sleeping, and lean on His calming presence when she’s crying.

Other times, we stop and let Jesus come to us. How? Give Him ten minutes of your day. Find a quiet place – a room in your home, an empty church, your back yard, or even your parked car -- and silence your phone. Start by thanking Him for this time you’ll get to spend with Him. Then, pick a short passage in the Bible and read it slowly and attentively. (The Gospels are a good place to start.) You might want to read it more than once. Notice what strikes you as you read. Next, sit still and think about what you’ve just read; the ideas that come to mind may be Him trying to tell you something. You may want to jot down your ideas. Finally, thank Him again and ask Him to stay with you and guide you as you go about the rest of your day.

Imagine Him saying to you:

“Stay and look for Me, like Mary did. Don’t be in such a hurry to get back to your routine, like the apostles did. Stop for a few moments and you’ll be rewarded. Tell Me what’s on your mind. Then, be still and wait. Sometimes you’ll get answers, and sometimes you’ll get only quiet. The quiet is holy when you spend it with Me. I’m working in your heart even when you feel nothing or get no apparent answers. I want to spend time with you. I love seeing you wanting to spend time with Me. Go deeper. Let Me reach into your heart. I want you to experience My love for you. Look for Me, and you’ll find Me. Listen, and you’ll hear Me. Open your heart to Me and let Me fill it. Be at peace. I love you.”

“Lord, let me find You.”

Thank you for reading my reflection. © 2022 Gina Bedell     Comments are always welcome! Feel free to share it with your friends by clicking on one of the icons below. Thanks!

 p.s.

We continue to pray for an end to the war. If you’d like to help the people of Ukraine through the Cleveland Maidan Association, you may use either PayPal or a credit/debit card here:

https://www.paypal.com/donate/...

 

Why Didn't Jesus Fight Back?

 

During this Holy Week, we recall how Christ was accused of blasphemy, mocked, beaten, and crucified, and then rose from the dead. We may wonder: Why didn’t He use His divine power to fight back against those who wanted to destroy Him? A modern-day movie may help us understand.

“Hacksaw Ridge” tells the true story of Desmond Doss, a Christian who enlists as an army medic during WWII. He wants to contribute to the war effort; at the same time, a traumatic experience when he was younger results in his refusal to handle a gun. His fellow soldiers mock him, beat him, and taunt him mercilessly, wanting him to fight back, but he takes their assaults without saying a word or raising his fists. The other men realize they’re powerless against him; they can’t make him give in or fight back, and so he wins those fights by not fighting. Later, at the horrific Battle of Okinawa, he tends to the wounded and still refuses to touch a weapon. He ends up risking his own life to save the lives of 75 men – the same soldiers who attacked him for being a ‘weakling.’ (Watch the movie to find out how!) If he had given in to save himself from their attacks, he wouldn’t have been in a position to save the others.

“He was pierced for our offenses, crushed for our sins…

He was silent and opened not his mouth…

Through his suffering, my servant shall justify many, and their guilt he shall bear.”

--Isaiah 53:5, 7, 11 

Christ didn’t fight back because He knew He could accomplish something greater by letting them kill Him. He loves us so much that He offered Himself to be punished for our sins; our sins were nailed to the cross with Him. He didn’t fight death because He knew He would conquer death. He knew He would rise from the dead, and He had to die first in order to rise.

Jesus’ resurrection proved that God’s love is more powerful than evil, more powerful than sin, and more powerful than even death itself. Satan could coerce the crowd to turn against Jesus and crucify Him, but Satan couldn’t keep Christ dead. Jesus was dead and buried, He rose from the dead, and He is still alive! His resurrection won eternal life for Himself and us.

“Thank You, Lord, for offering Yourself to be crucified for our sins so that we may join You in eternal life.”

Thank you for reading my reflection. © 2022 Gina Bedell     Comments are always welcome! Please share it with your friends by clicking on one of the icons below. Thanks!

 p.s.

We continue to pray for an end to the war. If you’d like to help the people of Ukraine through the Cleveland Maidan Association, you may use either PayPal or a credit/debit card here:

https://www.paypal.com/donate/... 

Checks may be made payable to Cleveland Maidan Association and mailed to

Pokrova Ukrainian Church

6812 Broadview Rd.

Parma, OH 44134

 

Where Do We Plant Ourselves?

 

 

 “Thus says the Lord: Cursed is the one whose heart turns away from the Lord. He is like a barren bush in the desert that enjoys no change of season, but stands in a wasteland. Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord. He is like a tree, planted beside the waters, that stretches out its roots to the stream. It fears not the heat when it comes; its leaves stay green. In the year of drought it still bears fruit… I will reward each person according to the results of his deeds” (See Jeremiah 17:5-10).

The bush on the left is vulnerable. There’s nothing to protect it from the harsh elements of the desert. There’s no water, so it bears no fruit. It merely survives in its isolated, unchanging existence.

The tree on the right stretches its roots to the stream, which helps it grow and flourish. It’s not alone but surrounded by other fruitful plants and everything that lives in the stream. Even in times of drought, it bears fruit because of its thriving environment.

Where we plant ourselves will affect how fruitful we are. If we’re proactive in staying close to our Lord and His guidance, we’ll be fruitful in the ways God created us to be. We’ll produce good fruit if we place ourselves in environments that bring out the best in us, and surround ourselves with people who encourage us to be our most loving selves. Even when life feels difficult, we’ll still bear fruit if we resist the forces that try to pull us away from God.

Let’s take a look around and see where we’ve planted ourselves. Do I remind myself throughout the day that God is with me, and reach out to Him for affirmation and guidance? Do my work, hobbies, and how I spend my free time help me to become a more loving, generous person? Do my family, friends and I bring out the best in each other? Am I proactive in building a more peaceful world, starting with my home? Asking ourselves questions like these, especially as we approach Holy Week, will shine a light on how we might reach out to God to bear more good fruit.

 “Lord, life feels overwhelming at times. Show us how to plant ourselves closer to You. Nourish and refresh us. We trust Your promise to reward us according to our hearts and deeds.”

Thank you for reading my reflection. © 2022 Gina Bedell    Comments are always welcome! Feel free to share it with your friends by clicking on one of the icons below. Thanks!

 p.s.

We continue to pray for an end to the war. If you’d like to help the people of Ukraine through the Cleveland Maidan Association, you may use either PayPal or a credit/debit card here: https://www.paypal.com/donate/... 

Checks may be made payable to Cleveland Maidan Association and mailed to

Pokrova Ukrainian Church

6812 Broadview Rd.

Parma, OH 44134

I Am With You

 

 “Lord, do not cast me away from Your presence...Give me again the joy of Your help, and renew within me a steadfast spirit.” --Psalm 51:11, 12

 Picture yourself sitting on a park bench, hunched over with your hands folded. Now imagine Christ sitting down next to you. You hear Him gently ask, “What’s on your mind?” Imagine looking up into His eyes and saying, “Stay here with me, Lord. I can’t do this on my own. Please help me. Let me feel joy again… What should I do?”

Listen to Christ answer your prayer: “Let Me help you. Become like a child in your faith and trust in Me. You don’t have to have all the answers because I have the answers. You don’t have to have it all figured out because I do. I see what you can’t see and I know what you don’t know.

“Every day, spend some time with Me in prayer, and listen. I will guide you. Stay focused on what you sense Me telling you. Take it one small step at a time, and you’ll have peace. You’ll feel joy again because you’re trying to stay close to Me.

“Yes, you have difficulties in this world. This world is only your temporary home. Look beyond your troubles and see what awaits you: heaven. Remember that I have prepared a place for you to be with Me forever in heaven. Until that time, I need you to continue what I started. I need you to bring My love to this fallen world in ways that only you can, and I have given you My Spirit to do it. The desire and power are already inside you.

 "So trust Me, and let yourself be glad. I am always with you. Did you hear Me? I am with you! In your heart is My love; in your mind is My peace; in your soul is My Spirit. Don’t let Satan distract you from these; don’t listen to his lies of gloom and despair. I have carved you in the palm of My hand. Sit with Me a while, and listen to the words of love I whisper in your heart. Let your heart believe what I tell you, and celebrate.

“The Kingdom of God is within you. I love you. I am with you.”

“Thank You, Lord.”

 

Thank you for reading my reflection. Comments are always welcome! Feel free to share it with your friends by clicking on one of the icons below. Thanks!

 p.s.

Please continue to pray for an end to the war. If you’d like to help the people of Ukraine through the Cleveland Maidan Association, you may use either PayPal or a credit/debit card here:

https://www.paypal.com/donate/...

 Or, you may send a check payable to Cleveland Maidan Association to

Pokrova Ukrainian Church

6812 Broadview Rd.

Parma, OH 44134

 

 

Unexpected Answers

 

“I thought that he would…” – 2 Kings 5:11

Naaman had been told that if he travelled to Samaria, the prophet Elisha would cure him of his skin disease (see 2 Kings 5:1-15). When Naaman got there, Elisha sent him a message to go and wash seven times in the Jordan River. That’s it; just wash in the Jordan, and his skin would be healed. At this, Naaman became angry and started to leave. “I thought that he would surely come out and stand there to invoke the Lord his God, and wave his hand over the spot and cure me” (verse 11). Naaman may have been angry because Elisha himself didn’t heal him; plus, Naaman had to put in some effort to bring about his own healing.

Do we turn away from our Lord when He doesn’t answer our prayers the way we want Him to? Do we expect Him to swoop down and fix everything for us? Do we neglect the hard work He asks of us to solve our problems? God always answers our prayers, not necessarily in the way we want Him to but in His way, because He knows what’s best for us. And while He doesn’t cause sufferings, in His wisdom He permits them. Just as Naaman’s illness led him to the prophet, God knows that our challenges may draw us closer to Him.

Through prayer, God changes either the situation or our attitude toward it. Everything He does, He does because He loves us. He wants us to come closer to Him. He wants to make us holy.

I thought that He would…

            …instantly and miraculously cure me.  Instead, maybe God’s teaching me to trust Him; maybe He’s teaching my caregivers compassion. Maybe He’s asking me to take steps that will help me feel better or foster the healing I’m praying for.

            …let me win the lottery. Instead, maybe He wants me to wash away my wasteful spending habits or look in a new direction for employment.

            …take away this one particular struggle. Instead, maybe God wants me to spend more time with Him in prayer so He can speak to my heart about how to handle it in a loving way.

Take to heart the words of the prophet Joel. Draw near to our Lord and He will bless you with His love, His peace, and His joy – the ultimate answer to all of our prayers:

“Even now, says the Lord, return to Me with your whole heart; for I am gracious and merciful.” –Joel 2:12-13

“Show me, Lord, Your way, so that I may walk in Your truth.” (Psalm 86:11)

Thank you for reading my reflection. Comments are always welcome! Feel free to share it with your friends by clicking on one of the icons below. Thanks!

p.s.

You may help the besieged people of Ukraine through the Cleveland Maidan Association using either PayPal or a credit/debit card here:

https://www.paypal.com/donate/...

 

If you prefer to write a check, make it payable to Cleveland Maidan Association and mail it to:

Pokrova Ukrainian Church

6812 Broadview Rd.

Parma, OH 44134

 

 

 

The Freedom of Forgiveness

 

Corrie ten Boom did the unimaginable after surviving a Nazi concentration camp. In her uplifting and powerful autobiography The Hiding Place: The Triumphant True Story of Corrie ten Boom, she tells of the moment years after her release when she came face to face with the Nazi guard who had brutalized her and countless others. She had just given a talk on the need for forgiveness -- one of many speeches she gave across the world -- when the former guard approached her, asked if she would forgive him, and offered her his outstretched hand. Slowly and mechanically she lifted her hand and, as he grasped it, she felt a kind of electric current run down her arm to their clasped hands; a freeing feeling of deep peace flowed through her and toward this man.

Notice that it was only after Corrie grasped his hand did the feeling come to her. That’s because forgiveness is an act of the will, not a feeling. Forgiving is deciding to not hold onto the wrongdoing any longer. (Reconciliation requires both parties; forgiveness involves only you.)

Consider:

‘The measure with which you measure will be measured out to you.’ –Luke 6:38

and

“…Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us...”

--Matthew 6:12

Who do you need to forgive? A parent? Your spouse? A teacher or friend? Yourself? We might not feel forgiving, but we can decide to forgive them. We might not feel anything dramatic like Corrie did; still, we can set ourselves free from the transgression. We can let it go. We can say out loud, “Lord, I forgive _____ for _____. “  

‘Be merciful as your Father in heaven is merciful.’ –Luke 6:36

God lives in us; we have His power in us to forgive.  And as we forgive others, so does God forgive us. We’re freed from others’ wrongdoings, we’re freed from our own sins, and we’re empowered to forgive others again in a loving cycle of forgiveness, freedom, and peace.

“God’s forgiveness is a sign of His overflowing love for each of us… it is the tenderness with which each sinner is welcomed when he knocks at His door… His heart rejoices over every child who returns…” – Pope Francis

God wants to forgive you!

Today, Wednesday, March 16, all Catholic churches in the Diocese of Cleveland will be open for the Sacrament of Reconciliation from 5-8 p.m.  Remember that Christ is there, hidden by the priest. Whether it’s been a week or a lifetime since your last Confession, you’re invited to ‘begin again’ at any church in the diocese. If not today, then sometime during Lent, let Jesus pour His loving grace and mercy upon you through this wonderful sacrament of freedom, peace, and reconciliation with God. 

“Lord, give me the grace and courage to seek Your forgiveness and forgive others.”

Thank you for reading my reflection. Comments are always welcome! Feel free to share it with your friends by clicking on one of the icons below. Thanks!

 p.s.

The Cleveland Maidan Association is one of many trusted organizations sending help to Ukraine. If you’d like to donate to them using either PayPal OR a credit/debit card, use this link:

https://www.paypal.com/donate/...