One of the essential tasks of the spiritual life is a review of life. It is an important practice to develop. Writing in a journal is a good way to think through our life, our calling and to help listen to what God is saying in our lives. It is so hard to grow spiritually without this process of review. Another way to think of this is the process of repentance. Repentance is simply to look at our life strategy in light of the good news that the kingdom of God is present.
God's presence and promise are available now, in fact they are only available in the now. For God is always in the present and we are always in the present, to think God is only in the future is to miss God entirely. To try to recover God from the past is to miss the presence of God now. Our spiritual practices help us to experience the nowness of God.
To review our life is to look at how we are present to God, to look at our intention, to look at our availability and vulnerability.
This review is a gift of grace. God is so tender with us that there is always enough grace to sustain us as we look at our lives. God's love enables us to review our lives, to rethink who we are and where we are going. While there may be challenge involved in the change it is always laden with mercy and love. The Spirit works to shape us and forgiveness surrounds us when we fail.
How often do you journal?
Who do you review your life with? Who is part of your spiritual community?
How do you experience the review of life as a grace filled, love powered activity?
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