“If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all.” Isaiah 7:9b
“In times of dryness and desolation, we must be patient, and wait with resignation the return of consolation, putting our trust in the goodness of God. We must animate ourselves by the thought that God is always with us, that He only allows the trials for our greater good, and that we have not necessarily lost his grace because we have lost the taste and feeling of it.”
Ignatius of Loyola (1491-1556) in Spiritual Exercises.
Do you “wait with resignation” and trust in the goodness and generosity of God to sustain you? The hard part about waiting for most people is the temptation to take matters into our own hands.
So what is the solution? It’s clear. We must “animate ourselves by the thought that God is always with us.” This truth linked to the Christ of Christmas must carry us throughout the year.
Perhaps take a moment to create a centering prayer to help you wait with resignation? “Lord Jesus, thank you that you are with me and care for me.” You can pray that or write your own.
Whatever the prayer, consider this rhythm as a pathway to animate your faith and to inspire others. Our only hope for living, giving, serving and loving generously is to be sustained by faithful care of our living God.