This message has no fat, no cholesterol and no additives. This is all natural except, with a lot of sugar. But it can never be as sweet as the one reading it. Smile!
~ Unknown
When I was growing up and would go with my mother to the grocery store, we simply purchased what looked good, what appealed to us, what caught our eye because of the packaging or the commercial. I do not remember a time that mom ever looked at the label to see what was in it or, for that matter, even checked for an expiration date. She simply bought and we ate.
Today, on the other hand, people are additive conscious. When you go to the grocery store, you will find people reading the labels, carefully examining the contents for preservatives, artificial coloring, and a host of other ingredients. If they do not like what they see, they put the item back and look at the next one.
It seems to be generally agreed upon that the least amount of additives in any given food item, the better it is for us. That may work for food; but, it does not work for our spiritual lives.
Many people go through life “additive free” when it comes to their spirituality. They may rely on a simple prayer now and then to get by. That will never do. If we are going to live a full life in service to our God, we have to do more than say some prayers. Aside from a rich variety of ways to pray, there are a host of other activities that we can do.
During the Season of Lent, we engage in fasting and abstinence. We are also encouraged to do some positive good for others. The corporal and spiritual works of mercy help us to serve more in the manner that Jesus has in mind for us. Keeping a journal can help us to pinpoint both the highs and lows of our spiritual life: the times that we feel closest to God and the times that we take ourselves far from Him. In pinpointing those occasions, we can shape our daily lives better so that we keep God in our sights.
Do not be content with a bland spiritual life. Do not be happy simply because you pray often. Look into other opportunities to live the faith. Try them out for size. See what works for you.
FAITH ACTION: Take an inventory of your spiritual life. Is there anything you can add — quiet meditation, spiritual reading, keeping a journal, doing the corporal or spiritual works of mercy, fasting, abstaining, et cetera — that might enhance the quality of your relationship with the Lord?