Meditation
Written by Michael Wittmer, a contemporary theologian and Christian author. This is an excerpt from his book “Heaven is a Place on Earth.”
Because the events of life are open to various interpretations, what matters most is not what happens to us but the worldview that interprets what happens to us. To rephrase a popular Christian aphorism, life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you read what happens to you. Say you have an automobile accident on your way home from work. What does it mean? Is it fate? Did random chance draw your unlucky number? Is a stern God getting back at you for skipping last night’s prayer meeting? Or is it merely an event allowed by a provident God who lovingly protected you from serious harm? In each case the facts are the same: Your car is totaled, your insurance premiums will undoubtedly rise, and you must go through the hassle of finding a way to get to work tomorrow. But though the facts are the same, different worldviews produce entirely different outlooks on the situation. Depending on your worldview, you are left cursing your karma, haunted by the unpredictable lottery of life, cowering in fear before a vindictive diety or praising God for his fatherly care. The secret to a satisfying life is not to avoid all unpleasant experiences – we can’t – but rather to have a worldview that knows how to correctly read such situations. A proper worldview can empower sturdy believers to endure any number of challenges. Waves of disappointment and disaster that would certainly have swamped lesser vessels only make them more determined to hang on. It seems that their robust faith can endure almost anything.
Prayer
Written by Anselm of Canterbury (1033-1109), a Benedictine monk, abbot, philosopher, and Christian theologian. He served as the archbishop of Canterbury.
O almighty and merciful Father, you pour out your benefits on us, forgive our unthankfulness for your goodness.
We have stood before you with dead and senseless hearts, unkindled by the love of your gentle and enduring goodness.
O merciful Father, turn us and we will be turned. Make us hunger and thirst for you with our whole heart, and with all our longing, desire you.
Make us serve you with our whole heart and with all our zeal seek whatever is pleasing in your sight; for the sake of your only Son, to whom with you and the Holy Spirit be all honor and glory, forever and ever. Amen.
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