wandering around

Yesterday (11 May), when I was sitting among my friends in TC, a thought come up to my mind

I remember when I heard about the story of the Israelite went out from the slavery in Egypt. God has been so love and be faithful to His beloved people, instead of their unbelieving and hardened heart. So many wonders had been revealed to them. There's no nation had been that close to God, even God reveals himself and dwelt in the midst of them.

But, I am once again struck by the response of the Israelite, which many times also become my improper aptitude toward the Loving God. He is so near and be among us, yet in my sinful nature, I am easily get distracted to other things. This is just like Adam and Eve who was distracted by the temptation from Satan and thus desires something else, a very vain thing rather than God. How faithful God has been and his grace has been so abundantly poured out to his beloved ones, but behold, there is a time when they --and we attempted to make "our own version of blessedness" by wandering around: good names, exceeding pleasures, fake satisfactions, sensual imaginations, etc which our Holy Fathers in really wise and discernment warn us to avoid. In fact, there is nothing we can do in this journey except God allows it, and without his blessing and our obedience to The Most Benevolent God, what does it mean, that must be meaningless.

Be watchful, my soul! Lest ye drawn to such imagination. Don't you remember, how in his greatness and yet in humility he says, "Don't worry....". Be mindful and wise. Who does say such amazing thing in the midst of broken and imperfect world? Christ himself! This is terrific, for God himself says that to us in his Great Knowledge of our inmost being and needs. If we are in Christ, should we be in want and seek vainglory and temporal matters for the sake of self? He thus giveth us this command, "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and its righteousness and these will be added to you!"

Don't be deceived, in God alone our soul can find its rest and peace, the true joy that this world can not even offer! Why do you so worry? Trust him and behold his Mighty Hands among his servants, His saints and His angelic warriors . Trust him with all your heart, He is with us. "Ask...., Seek..., and Knock...."
Let's learn from Adam and Eve.... And learn form Israel, the beloved among nations and how their hunger which were not directed to God became great sorrows for them. Let's learn from Saul's story, Salomon's, Jude Iscariot' s and even our own--my own failures. Remember God more than your breathes!

(to be continued... paper assignment waiting... :)

Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers and All Saints, O Lord have mercy on us and save us! Most Holy Theotokos, have mercy on me Thy unprofitable servant.