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Being Open to God

January 22, 2015 By Jean Wise

healthyspirituality.orgI was on retreat last year when I shared with the spiritual director my ongoing frustration of the divide between my head and my heart. I think too much. I deeply want to trust. I step out into life before seeking God first. I think I run the world, not the One who really does.

Off with her head – I wanted to scream!

My director calmly asked what image comes to mind when I ponder my head and heart. Immediately I knew – an hour glass. Open on top and bottom but constricted in the middle.

She suggested I pray for a new image and see where God leads me.

Odd prayer, isn’t it? Dear Lord, how do you want me to see my head and heart? How can I better visualize them working together not tearing my soul apart? Please show me, Lord.

Over the next few days of the retreat God slowly showed me a new image – a tree. My heart is the roots, growing deep in his love. My head are the branches – intentionally reaching out to him in his light and love. In between where the restricted narrow hour glass stem used to be evolved into a strong connecting trunk.

The trunk of the tree allows the nutrients of the roots to feed the branches. The branches take in nutrients from the air and from the sun and feed the roots. Not restrictive – open, flowing, working together for a healthy tree, a healthy soul.

Now when I think of being open to God I imagine the tree. My tree of life from God.

I am reading a good book right now by Greg Paul called Simply Open – a guide to experiencing God in the everyday. He offers tools as simply as using our senses to deepen our spiritual journey.

He addresses the concepts of being open, the enemies such as fear and busyness to finding openness and a map through the senses to experience God in the ordinary.

I like how he categorizes how God opens us up: in release, in receiving, in becoming and in doing. Here is one of his prayers for releasing in our seeing:

Lord, open my eyes,

That I may release what I have seen,

And so see you,

See myself through your eyes,

And truly see others.

So often I let what I have seen in the past or what I perceive as truth blind me to what really is. It is hard to let go of perceived notions, old images (like my hourglass) and allow God to show us his perspective.

In knowing God, Paul writes, “we cannot contain; we can only be open.”

I recommend this book if you are interested in learning to be open to God. I received the book from Thomas Nelson in return for a review but didn’t have to give it a good report. I am glad to add this book to my shelf.

When you ponder being open to God, what image comes to your mind?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Comments

  1. Dolly @ Soulstops.com says

    January 24, 2015 at 12:18 am

    Jean,
    What a great image…a tree…makes me think of Psalm 1 and Jer. 17: 7-8…for me, when “Open” was my word in 2012, I saw two open hands, palm up…versus closed and clenched…Happy Saturday to you 🙂

    • blankJean Wise says

      January 24, 2015 at 6:28 pm

      Thanks Dolly, I know the image of the tree continues to open my heart and mind. I do love the open hands too. Hands of God has been one of my favorite visuals when I pray. yes perfect for open. Happy Saturday to you too.

  2. blankLisa notes... says

    January 22, 2015 at 10:39 am

    This is awesome, Jean. I love the idea of changing imagery! I’ll have to work through that myself with some of my issues. And of course I now have to go look up that book. 🙂 Thanks, friend.

    • blankJean Wise says

      January 23, 2015 at 4:38 pm

      Changing my image opened me up and I really did relax. It is quite powerful. Thanks for being a such a good commenter, Lisa. I am blessed to have connected with you.

  3. blankMartha Orlando says

    January 22, 2015 at 7:26 am

    I really loved your image of the tree for including both head and heart in the loving of God. Perfect! I will take some time to pray and reflect on this and see what image God has for me. Blessings, Jean!

    • blankJean Wise says

      January 23, 2015 at 4:37 pm

      The tree was quite powerful for me and has continue to be beneficial. When I visualize it, I do open up more, actually can feel myself relax. Have a wonderful weekend, Martha

      • blankMartha Orlando says

        January 23, 2015 at 7:51 pm

        You have a great weekend, too, Jean. Just to let you know, the tree still keeps coming up for me . . . 🙂

        • blankJean Wise says

          January 23, 2015 at 7:57 pm

          God must have a special place in his heart for trees and rocks – he made so many of them. May the image of the tree always bless you.

Healthy Spirituality – a sacred space to nurture your faith, grow closer to God, and belong to a community, walking together on life’s journey. This blog is written by author, speaker and retreat leader Jean Wise

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