The Invitation

When we find ourselves isolated from the rest of the world, isolated from ourselves, both physically and mentally, we need to remember that such isolation need not be from God; actually quite the opposite is true.  So much hatred, so much violence that a retreat within is almost inevitable and completely understandable.  We fear we know not people as we ponder the consequences of such hatred, of such ignorance.  As the weight of such ignorance weighs upon our shoulders, retreat and isolation seem to be our only option, there we remain festering in the projected hatred until we emerge with calloused heart and critical tongue.  Let us, rather, turn inward to God, let us offer our beings to God that we may be rejuvenated in love, unconditional love; that we may be awakened in His mercy, sighting compassion and generosity as our purposed truth.  Freely we must give ourselves to our God less we be swallowed whole by the hatred that has become the the state of our world.  Should we become engulfed by such hatred, sadness quickly our travel companion; however, should we become engulfed by the Spirit, enveloped in rich, unconditional love, then compassion our travel companion and the world a bit less hostile.  To God we must return, one prayer, one pause, one listen at a time.  It is He who will wipe away our sadness, He who will create in us a welcoming spirit that we may journey the world in faith and move the world in love.   To the Father we must surrender our fear, surrender our judgments, surrender the weight we willingly attach to our shoulders when stop listening to God and listen, rather, to the mob of hatred filling our feeds and occupying our screens.  To God, we say, “Take this from us, please, for under its weight we are being crushed.  We are better than hatred, better than judgments, better than violence for such actions are crushing our soul, transforming us into individuals who have forgotten our purpose, individuals who think ourselves larger than our ego.  Be with us, Father, we pray, humble us in Your love that we may step back, that we may surrender our beings that we may once again live.  Living we have forgotten for our robotic actions, seemingly mainstream, have caused us to start drowning.  Father, please replace this hatred with love, that every thought, every step be a concentration of Your love that with each breath, with each interaction the world awakens to a remembrance of hope and an idolization of love.”  Isolation from the world need not include isolation from God, turn now, we must, open our hearts to the Father, invite Him to stay.