May 20
47th day of Easter
Eduard Khegay
The Upper Room May-June 2010
The Upper Room Inc.

Despite Obstacles

Whenever you face trials of any kind, consider it nothing but joy, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance  James 1:2-3

Two or three times a week I take a spiritual walk, taking time to reflect on the will of God for my life.  I think about past events and those that are coming up.  One day on my walk, I saw some plants that had pushed through the stone wall of a convent I was passing.  These plants astonished me. The power of life and energy that God put in them had helped them to grow despite obstacles, even through a wall.

In our spiritual life, obstacles and trials can threaten us.  We may fall into despair when we encounter financial crises, unemployment, conflict and misunderstandings.  But Psalm 61 tells us that God is our refuge and protection.  Faith in God helps us to overcome despair.

We can be filled with spiritual strength through prayer, spiritual reflection, Bible reading, fellowship with our brothers and sisters in the faith, fasting and taking Holy Communion in Church.  When we are filled with God's strength, we mature, becoming strong enough to overcome even the stony obstacles in our path.

Prayer:  Dear god, we give thanks that you listen to us when we cry out to you.  Help us to keep growing in spite of the obstacles in our path, trusting that you will strengthen us. Amen

Thought for the Day:  What obstacles has God helped me to overcome?

Reflection
When traveling I frequently come across those stone sound barriers on the sides of the roads.  They are rather plain but some of them have texture which makes them more attractive.  However, nothing makes them more beautiful than to see vines growing through them.  I imagine that on the other side of the wall, it is shady with dense underbrush;  however, on this sunny side of the wall, the vines can bask in the sun and follow an endless adventurous path. Not all vines made their way to the road side--just the ones that were called to be in the right place at the right time. Today, let's listen for a call because God is always looking for a way to bring us into his light and into freedom. crsr