jesus – Page 5 – Spirituality & Healing

Step by step trusting Him

Published on May 4, 2016May 4, 2016 by lindseybiggsLeave a comment

Graduating from college, moving to a new house, finding summer plans — whatever it may be, God is providing each step of the way.

Recently, my family decided it was time to embark on a new adventure. As I prayed about this upcoming change, it became evident that what we needed was simply to see the next step, follow it, and then each step of the way would be placed in front of us in just the right way.

A beautiful hymn states:

Lead Thou me on…I do not ask to see The distant scene; one step enough for me.

Whatever steps in life we take, it always begins by taking the first step. We don’t need to see beyond this (and it most cases we can’t). It can be tough to see only one step because we want to know the ‘end of the story’, so to speak. We want to see how it will all work out!

If I could have seen in to the future, even just two years ago, I wouldn’t have known how I got there. I would have thought that I simply went from point A to point B without realizing all the spiritual growth and wisdom gained along the way; or the patience and selflessness that was needed; and I couldn’t have known all the love and blessings that developed along the way in many friendships and precious moments with our family.

So as we face changes in life, we can trust that divine Mind, God, is leading and guiding us. This intelligent Source speaks through the “still, small voice” (1 Kings 19:12) and through spiritual intuition. As we silence the “storm” around us — the mental turmoil that desperately wants to know all the answers — we will hear and see each step placed before us at just the right time. We will hear God’s angel messages guiding us along the way.

The Bible says:

Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people.

God’s light is leading you! He will not leave you in darkness.

Step by step will those who trust Him find that “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”

John Henry Newman, Christian Science Hymnal, 169
Exodus 13:22 NIV
Mary Baker Eddy, Science and Health, p. 444:10 (with reference to Psalm 46:1)

The healing power of church

Published on April 14, 2016April 14, 2016 by lindseybiggs4 Comments

clasped-hands-541849_960_720 I love church. My love for church has grown and so has my understanding for the spiritual growth, humility and love it takes to serve Christ’s church.

The church that I love is based on the healing power of Christ. A church that is willing to love without conditions or boundaries.

I have seen the power of Christ connect people of all types and backgrounds. Liberal and conservative. Black and white. Homosexual and heterosexual. Homeless and wealthy. Toddlers and seniors. All attracted to the same church. Why? Because ultimately there is a craving for divine, infinite Love that uplifts, heals and saves and gives meaning to our lives.

Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all.

This flies in the face of so much of what we see today, which wants to separate us based on our history, politics, age, race and religion. Christ is above all this. We have the right to know we are all loved and accepted (as Jesus showed us), and we can live that Christ-spirit where ever we go.

I’m not pretending the Bible doesn’t talk about judgement and separating the “goats” from “sheep” in God’s fold, but I am convinced that this is talking about states and stages of thoughts and actions.

We want to judge — be spiritually discerning in — our own thinking every day and determine if thoughts are coming from God (harmonious, loving, kind, spiritual, limitless, generous, forgiving) or from a mortal ego (limited, fearful, destructive, condemning).

Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me and know my thoughts: And see if there be any way of wickedness in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

Self-knowledge is an essential component of spirituality. God knows everything that He made is good, spiritual and perfect. We can know that, too.

Each day I can pray: How can I love more? How can I serve You better? We can also pray wholeheartedly for a greater understanding of God and everyone’s relationship to Him. This will in turn bless us and every community.

___
Colossians 3:11 ESV
Psalms 139: 23, 24 ERV

Finding happiness in service

Published on April 6, 2016April 6, 2016 by lindseybiggsLeave a comment

20160404_182608 It seems challenging to hold on to happiness. The amount of time and energy that has been devoted to helping people find happiness through books, websites, courses, etc. is amazing.

Lately, the understanding that happiness comes from selfless service has been coming to me with new veracity. I know this fact theoretically, but how do we make this practical right where we are in the minutiae of our day?

The other evening, I was in heartfelt prayer and I made a gratitude list of all the opportunities to serve that had come that day. Some were small like helping our son potty train. Some felt bigger like prayerfully addressing problems in Syria and North Korea. However big or small, though, creating this list opened my eyes to seeing all have countless ways we have to serve our Father-Mother God each day.

These countless ways to serve often come with opportunities to overcome the resistance which says: “I don’t want to, or I don’t feel like it, or I don’t have enough time or money or energy to help others”. These thoughts are an impostor and should be cast out! If listened to, they would keep us from fulfilling our true destiny as children of God.

I’m grateful for the endless service opportunities we have each day and wishing you a peace-filled, service-oriented life.