Your Life Story Part 2
October 26, 2024
Your Life Story Part 2
We are never too old or young to look at our life's story. All of us have a story, even babies. Our stories do not have to be glamorous or intriguing — ground-breaking, fascinating, or beautiful. After all, they are not lived to please an audience or receive a book review. The most important people who derive meaning from our lives are ourselves.
Of course, our lives impact our family and friends; some lives impact a wider sphere, and some even change the world and human history. But regardless of the length or impact of our lives, in the end, our life story has the most effect on us. And that impact is the most significant result. Why is that true? For me, it has to do with our divine purpose.
Henri Nouwen explains the spiritual life as living from our heart which is, most profoundly, spirit. We are not only our body, mind, and emotions but our soul. Our soul is not a random thing that temporarily incarnates and dies. Instead, the soul lives out a specific and divine purpose. This means there is a deep spiritual rhyme and reason to our life, its unfoldment, and destiny. Our job is to become conscious of it. This is the awareness of our life's meaning.
Spiritual Practice: Write the following prayer on a piece of paper and place it in your pocket:
"Dear God, for what divine purpose am I created?" Go to a labyrinth and walk it with the prayer in your pocket and in your heart. What comes to consciousness?
Self-inquiry: What are some reasons why you would not want to pray for knowledge of your divine purpose?
Dear God,
As I come to terms with my divine reason for being, I pray for the wisdom and courage to carry it out. Amen
