My son, Nathan, has a cat, Jasper is his name; being a cat is his game. When Nathan went off to graduate school in August, 2012 he took Jasper with him. Now Jasper had only known one home and there were two people living there (sometimes three). It took Jasper a few days to settle in to his new digs then it seemed to happen. One afternoon Jasper walked into the living room, looked at Nathan, paused and then it seemed as if a light went on in Jasper’s little mind. As he looked at Nathan it seemed to occur to Jasper that his Constant Companion was Nathan. With great glee he pounced on Nathan and he has been doing so ever since. Nathan likes this except for the times when Jasper pounces early in the morning.
So here I sit wondering if God is my Constant Companion. Like Jasper, I do acknowledge that I need assistance in my life. Unlike Jasper, I do not find myself pouncing on God in order to get the Divine’s attention. I do, however, awake each morning with prayers of thanksgiving and then I move to prayers of petition. What is it that I want from the Divine presence that I want to believe is my Constant Companion?
Jesus encouraged his followers to be deliberate about searching and requesting (at times it feels as if I cross the line between requesting and begging). Jesus promised his followers that they will find what they are seeking. Too often, I have interpreted this as intercessory prayer. On the other hand, could it be that Jesus was not speaking about my external world but about my internal world? Could it be that what the Divine wants of me is to petition God for what will enhance our relationship? Am I to search for what enhances our relationship?
Jesus promised that I will receive if I ask. What is it I will ask for and what is it that I will receive. Could it be that what I receive comes disguised as a gift requiring patience, or compassion, or care, or faith in order to discern and receive the gift? Do I really believe that every response contains what is most vital for my interior life? Do I petition God in order that my interior life is nurtured and enhanced? Do I believe that my interior life is what must be attended to for my external life is a manifestation of what lies within my heart and soul? Do I believe that Love is the major tap root that I need to nurture and sustain and that I can only do so with the help of my Constant Companion?
Gentle Reader, this morning I will share with you a few of the questions I have pondered that help me move from ‘What can you do for me God?’ to ‘Who can you be for me and who can I be for you?’ Gentle reader, you might find one or more of these helpful to you as you search and they might also help you discern questions that apply directly to your own search at this time in your life. Here are my questions:
What is your longing?
What is your hope?
What is your yearning?
What is your calling?
What is your hurt?
What is your healing?
What is your wisdom?
What is your contentment?
What is your truth?
What is your passion?
Searcher-Seeker 