I have begun reading Trevor Hudson's book 'Seeking God: Finding Another Kind of Life With St. Ignatius and Dallas Willard.' From what I gather it's sort of a modern summation of Ignasius's Spiritual Exercises written in a very practical way.
So far the book seems to be just what I was hoping for. I love how Hudson writes. It's like he is talking just to me. Almost like he's my best friend and we're having a deep, intimate conversation. It just gives me a good feeling.
There are four pieces I found significant and want to recall from this chapter...
1. Hudson writes on p. 26 of the "life with God" he imagines...
"Imagine enjoying this 'Abba experience' with God every day. We wake up in the morning knowing deep in our heart that we are the apple of God's eye. We are aware that God knows us by name, loves us as we are, and is closer than we can ever imagine. Throughout the day we are conscious of being enfolded in a Divine Mystery, actively and lovingly present in all things. We know that nothing can separate us from the glorious reality of God's everlasting love. We share honestly with God all our feelings and thoughts, whether they be angry or joyful, sad or happy, fearful or loving. We move from being polite with the Lord to sharing ourselves openly, truthfully, and vulnerably with God. We listen for any divine whisper there may be in our hearts. This is the intimate friendship with God which Jesus gradually leads us within our daily lives."
2. Dallas Willard suggested Hudson take time each day to look in a mirror and repeat aloud this sentence:
"I am an unceasing spiritual being with an eternal destiny in God's great universe."
3. On p. 36-37 he writes that Jesus reaches out to us with the compelling vision of another kind of life. He comes to us in his risen presence and says to each one of us,
"It doesn't have to be this way. Another kind of life is available to you. You are invited into an intimate pilgrimage to the heart of my Abba Father, who loves you beyond your wildest imaginings. As you keep company with me, my sisters and brothers will become your new family. Over time I will reveal to you God's personal calling for your life. I will show you how you can partner with me in healing my Father's world. Along the way I will slowly transform you into the loving, compassionate, and generous person you were meant to be. My powerful Spirit will set you free from whatever enslaves you and will empower you to act on behalf of the common good. Above all, there is nothing that will ever separate you from the Father's love with which I love you. This is the divine vision I have for your one life on earth."
4. Overall Chapter 2 is about what Hudson says are the "five inseparable threads from Jesus' life that give us a fuller glimpse of the abundant life he makes possible." They are:
- Intimacy with God
- A shared life
- A transformed life
- A powerful life
- An indestructible life
The 'Seeking Exercise' in this chapter is:
"To help clarify what you really seek right now in your relationship with God, you may want to reflect again on each of those five threads of the life God gives us which we looked at earlier. See which one gets your attention and evokes within you a sense of longing and attraction. Perhaps your interest is captured by deepening your intimacy with God, or having a stronger connection with God's family, or developing with others a clearer sense of your personal vocation, or experiencing a deeper transformation of your character, or receiving God's power to help you overcome a specific temptation, or discerning how best you can contribute to the common good, or growing your confidence in God's never-ending love as you face your mortality. Whatever you are seeking, write it down and talk with the Lord about it. Then ask yourself: How can I follow the longing of my heart with greater openness and trust?"
So... this was an impactful chapter for me. Honestly, my biggest issue right now is having any sense of hope. These were some good reminders that another way is possible. I felt I needed to write them out and have them available for future reference. Often.
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