BE THOU MY VISION

The word I have chosen for January is VISION. It seems like a good word for a new year.  Even though you may have chosen a different word for this month I offer you this rich word for your prayer.  "Where there is no vision, we are told in Proverbs, the people perish." (29:18)  So just what does the word, vision, mean to you?   First of all, it is considerably deeper than a plan.  Anyone can make a plan; not everyone when making a plan will invite vision to be a companion in the planning.

The first thing to do is to get out your piercing, penetrating eyes (your far-seeing eyes) and become very still.  Wait!  Listen! Look! Rest in the unknowings of the moment!  Close your eyes so that all distractions may more likely disappear and help you get in touch with your inner seeing, that is...your insight. All of this is prayer.   You allow God to pray in you.  After a brief quiet time you might ask yourself a few questions.

• What is my vision for this day?  If I borrow God's far-seeing eyes and look into this day, how would I like to see myself living? [this need not involve a long list, which is often detrimental to faithfulness; perhaps my vision for this day could simply be to live awake (aware).]
• How can I live each day with less plans and more vision?
• Do I have a spiritual vision for the path of 2014?  Am I willing to use my far-seeing eyes to discern what areas of my life are in need of transformation? 

One of the things I am doing this year in an attempt to awaken the vision that I so often allow to sleep in my soul is this:

Before retiring I ask myself a question,  What is your vision for tomorrow?  After a few moments of silent listening, I write in my journal one or two of my dreams for the next day.  Amazing how a little exercise like this can help me stay on the path, awake!

I am also trying to allow everyday theophanies (God-Showings) to speak to me about VISION for my personal life.  E.G. I am walking along and come upon a young green shoot sprouting out of a dead branch.  I pause and allow this ICON to speak to me about my personal life.  What is my vision about the things in my life that seem to be dead but in reality are not.

Another example is this:  I see a Sister in my community doing something really kind for another Sister.  That is a 'God-Showing' and as I let this beautiful vision cleanse me, I call upon my far-seeing eyes to discern what I might do for someone.  It happens every day.  I am jarred out of my sleepwalking.  I awaken to a vision of something more that is waiting for me.

Is it too late to wish you a Happy New Year? 

 Of course not!  

We have 11 months and 18 days of 2014 left.

 That's enough time for you to do a tremendous amount of good and have an exorbitant  number of visions.  

Thank you for the blessing that you are in our world!

Happy New Year!