In our previous two posts, we discussed how faith can help us see life through a different lens. We learned how faith can transform and turn us into new creations by providing the courage to move beyond our past. Then, we explored how we can find peace with ourselves and others by seeking reconnection and reconciliation. Today, we will explore divine intervention and new beginnings.
Divine Intervention and New Beginnings
Peace and reconciliation bring newness to our relationships with God, our families, and our communities. Divine intervention allows us to grow into this new creation, like cranberries and stevia, transforming lemonade into something fresh and different. The key is to be receptive and hear God’s calling. We must allow God to work within us as we feel a nudge to do something different.
How do you see divine intervention in your daily life? What role does prayer play in your life?
Action
This week, consider reaching out to someone you have lost touch with.
Prayer – Let us pray…
Divine Creator, You are in and around me. I surrender my life and all of my relationships to the Universe. Fill me with love. I trust You will direct my path and journey with me. Help me to create something spectacular with lemons!
If you enjoyed this please remember to Share, Like, Follow. (This is my “call to action” I’m supposed to include in every post and often forget. Thanks so much for your support!)
Last time we imagined we were a glass of lemonade. We tried envisioning what we could add to our lives (the lemonade) to make it new and different (cranberries). We learned that faith shapes us and can help us become a new creation.
The Power of Reconciliation
Reconciliation is a natural consequence of personal transformation. We seek to heal past wounds and rebuild broken relationships as we grow in faith. However, reconciliation can be complicated. It takes two willing hearts.
John and Sally
Consider John, who has recently embraced his faith. In his journey of self-discovery, he feels compelled to reach out to his cousin Sally, whom he hasn’t spoken to in over a decade due to an old argument. John is ready to reconcile, but Sally may not be. John’s willingness to reach out is a powerful first step. He has done what he can and now can rest in the knowledge that he has made an effort, continuing to pray and hope for a future reconciliation.
Cranberry Lemonade: A Symbol of Newness
Just as adding cranberry juice to lemonade creates a new and refreshing drink, welcoming the Creator and others into our lives makes us new. Paul’s words echo this truth:
“The old has gone; the new is here!”
This newness isn’t just a surface change—it’s a complete transformation of our spirits, connecting us to the Divine and one another. It’s about embracing a new way of thinking, a new way of living, and a new way of relating to others.
What practical steps can you take today to embrace the newness of realizing you are a faith-based person?
Start by reflecting on your beliefs and values and how they influence your actions. Then, consider how you can align your life more closely with these principles. This could involve regular prayer, attending religious services, or engaging in acts of kindness and compassion.
Finding Peace in Reconciliation
True peace comes when we accept relationships as they are, not as they were or as we wish they might be. In his message, Paul urges us to be reconciled to God. But before we can do this, we must make amends with those around us. Apologizing and seeking forgiveness allows us to find peace within ourselves and the world around us.
In the case of estrangement, I am not advocating writing a letter of amends. However, I am advocating that you write a letter or multiple letters for your eyes only and then place them in a memory box or burn them. Experts have mixed thoughts on this. Remember, both hearts need to be ready. Processing emotions is part of healing, even when reconciliation isn’t possible, yet.
Is there someone with whom you have had a falling out? How might your own transformation inspire you to reach out and seek reconciliation?
Next time, we will conclude this series on Cranberry Lemonade as we explore the topic of faith and new beginnings, where we will explore divine intervention.
If you enjoyed this please remember to Share, Like, Follow. (This is my “call to action” I’m supposed to include in every post and often forget. Thanks so much for your support!)
O mighty Spirit of the Diamond, Cast your spell on us, humble mortals. Majestic heavens embrace your power, Where galaxies collide, and stars ignite.
Reveal to us your universal secrets, Magnetic forces under your command, Guiding planets in their cosmic dance, Around the blazing orb of day.
Pull us toward the gravitational center, Infuse us with your holy Spirit, Impart your wisdom to us, we pray, Renounce the demons, cleanse our souls.
Mesmerize us with incandescent brilliance, Chip away our dark and hardened shells, Revealing the authenticity within, An unadulterated mind, free to soar.
Your flawlessness radiates purity, Summoning Angels from realms on high, To join us in celestial harmony, Welcoming us with such delight.
Sanctify us with your transformative power, Pour forth the nectar of the gods, Nourish us on this spiritual journey From now until the end of time.
When Moses stretched out his staff toward the sky, the Lord sent thunder and hail, and lightning flashed to the ground. So the Lord rained hail on the land of Egypt; hail fell, and lightning flashed back and forth. It was the worst storm in all the land of Egypt since it had become a nation.
Exodus 9:23,24
The Story of the Plagues comes from the Book of Exodus in the Old Testament. It begins 400 years prior when the Israelites had become enslaved in Egypt. They prayed. And prayed for a very long time.
Moses& Aaron.
God inflicted ten plagues to convince Pharoah to free the Israelites. God chose Moses for this task and for leading the Israelites to the Promised Land. But Moses thought he wasn’t a good choice. So, God selected his brother, Aaron, to help him.
Moses was a fascinating choice for several reasons. First, he floated down the Nile River as a baby and was retrieved and adopted by the Pharoah’s daughter. This meant that Moses grew up in royalty. When he later learned of his true biological heritage, he killed an Egyptian, fled Egypt, went to Midian, and became a shepherd. He was there for 40 years.
Equally compelling was God choosing Aaron. Even though Aaron was Moses’ brother, Aaron had grown up a Levite. Not an Egyptian. It was intriguing that God chose two brothers raised entirely differently. And they both heeded the call of God to protect and free the Israelites.
Tough Nut.
Interestingly, each of the ten plagues is related to an Egyptian god. Pharoah was tough to crack because the first six plagues didn’t scare him. (1) The Nile River turned into blood, (2) frogs covered the land, (3) dust became gnats, (4) swarms of flies, (5) disease inflicted on livestock, and (6) soot became boils on the skin of the Egyptians including their animals.
Image source: Public Domain (need pix dot com)
Thunder. Hail.
Then, God sent a hailstorm.
Not just any hailstorm.
One that would kill anyone that was outside.
For each plague, Pharoah believed that the Egyptian gods would outsmart the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
But he was wrong.
Moses and Aaron, both appointed by God, were faithful in their servitude. Then came (8) the locusts the day after the east wind blew. Next, (9) total darkness fell upon the land for three days. The last plague was the death of the first-born son, which will lead us into the next blog post on The Passover.
Finally, the Pharoh liberated the Israelites so they could resume their quest to arrive at the Promised Land. The Story of the Plagues teaches us about God’s power and choice of helpers. Kindness, loyalty, and faithfulness are what God seeks.
Lessons Learned
As we move into Fall, let us learn lessons from The Story of the Plagues and how it applies to our lives.
#1. Actions have Consequences. #2. Have Faith. #3. Be Patient. (And Generous)
The plagues were a direct result of Pharaoh’s unwillingness to obey God. Likewise, our actions have consequences, and we must carefully weigh our choices. The Israelites had faith and worshiped God even when complaining they were slaves. Having faith means that things will work out how they need to, even when it seems they won’t.
God was patient with Pharoah even when he was stubborn. God gave him lots of chances to be obedient. If God can be patient, so can we. We must be generous with our time to allow others time to process for themselves.
Remember the Story of the Plagues of Egypt the next time you see and hear hail. They are a powerful reminder of God’s sovereignty and ability to use weather to accomplish His purposes.
Be faithful. Answer God’s call to action. Praise God for his patience. Ask God for an abundance of patience.
Take a Deep Breath.
Breathe in patience and exhale stubbornness.
If you liked this post, please like, follow, and comment.
We are in different stages in our life journey, so we ask your help meeting us where we are.
Sit with us.
Hold our hand.
Listen to us.
Give us a hug.
Drink wine with us.
Share a meal with us.
The basics for sustenance. Fresh fruit and vegetables. Meats and baked breads.
We are thankful O Lord, for all you provide.
The foundation for spiritual nourishment. Holy scripture. Holy Spirit. A community of friends.
We are thankful O Lord, for all you provide.
Without you we are just a bag of bones. Brittle. Stale. Broken.
With you, Lord, we are caring souls. Resilient. Refreshed. Whole.
We are thankful O Lord, for all you provide.
We are thankful O Lord, for your infinite mercy and grace. May you shower us with your healing power. And let us remember to be grateful for what we have, not wishing for what we don’t have.
Yom Kippur is the day of atonement. According to myjewishlearning.com, “Yom Kippur is when God seals the Books of Life and Death for the coming year.” The overall theme of Yom Kippur is repentance. It is the most solemn day in the life of Judaism.
Yom Kippur, “is the day…to divorce ourselves completely as humanly possible from the mundane world in which we live, in order to devote ourselves with all our hearts and minds to our relationship with the Divine.”
Myjewishlearning.com
It is my belief, that the Divine requires us repent. To repent to our fellow humans, and to repent to the Almighty for thoughts, deeds, or words we may have or have not said. Repentance is required for renewal and reconciliation.
If I have offended any of my brothers or sisters, I apologize from the depth of my being and hereby ask for forgiveness of any unkind word, thought or action I may or may not have had or done.
G’mar chatima tovah. Wishing you all to be sealed in the Book of Life.
Barukh ata Adonai Eloheinu, melekh ha’olam
I am flawed. I am human. I have made mistakes. Forgive me, oh Lord, for I have sinned. Heal my festering wound, so I can start anew.
If you enjoyed this please remember to Share, Like, Follow. (This is my “call to action” I’m supposed to include in every post. Thanks so much for your support!)
I and Thou Reflections 