MY OWNERS MANUAL

Advent is fulfilled.

The waiting is over.

God became flesh and dwelt among us.

During these past few weeks of being intentional about Advent, I have seen differences in me as the result of my past three years here in my hermitage.

I notice changes for the better that have occurred unnoticed and without being on my agenda for change.  But there they are.  Seeds have sprouted and I am thankful.

The most important lesson learned is to simply turn myself over to God, which is not always easy to do.  But I know for sure that it is the only workable and sustainable method of true transformation.  A seed simply planted in the soil of my mind, heart, and soul that is filled with Jesus, the Word of God, the Bible, the words of God, and instruction and inspiration of the Holy Spirit, will grow and transform me into who I was created to be.  My life experiences are all compost and enhance the new growth.

Everything made has an owner’s manual.  What is it I own?  I am given my inheritance…my relationship with God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, in the kingdom of God.  For me the Bible is that owner’s manual.  It is to be the central organizing principle of my life.  It is the major provider of my values, my intentions, and the way I view and walk through life.  Other modes of information like books, preaching, teachings, etc. are helpful as aides but only the Bible, taught by the Spirit, has the Word and words with power.  It is that power that radically transforms heart, mind, and soul.  I do well with more of His words…less of mine…less of others.

I did a lot of reading and listening to teachings this year.  I am a life-time student so I enjoy learning.  But at some point I began to feel less nourished by what I was reading and listening to.  A spark would come but it rarely proceeded into a flame, and even less into a fire.  But my daily lectio divina reading in the Bible became alive as I read and I felt inspired, full, and nourished.  I believe the invisible transformation was a part of that.  I allowed the words to sink in before I analyzed them to death or put my own spin on them, either mine or another’s.  This will be my pursuit in the New Year.