May today there be peace within - The Practice Co

Here’s a recent devotional from Liz Milani (The Practice Co devotional app - https://www.thepracticeco.com) on the theme of inner peace and fulfilment, making use of the famous prayer by St. Teresa of Avila which is one of my favourites.

 

The Apostle Paul wrote to his friends and said:

"Wake up from your sleep,
Climb out of your coffins..."*

Like me, maybe you've heard this screamed from pulpits and social media platforms like a battle cry, a condemnation, a strike on your record or on that of others.

But that's not what it is at all.
It's the simple reminder of what's important.

Wake up.
Wake up.
Friend, wake up.

Life is happening all around you, and while you will be asleep to some of what is going on, if you live with an open heart and open hands and open eyes, all will be revealed in time - you will wake up, and you will continue to wake up your whole life long. You will experience a million tiny revelations that will collectively and continuously culminate into wisdom and depth and that one thing that seems elusive and beyond you:

fulfilment.

Life is about connection, not being correct. It's about sinking deep, not skimming the surface. It's about being in your body and your mind without wishing and hoping you were someone else. It's about getting messy and being involved and making mistakes and learning and growing rather than being clean and sanitised and perfect. This is all possible for you. God is in the middle of your life with you. Wake up to that truth, and you'll discover the beauty of the integration of the human and the holy. It will make your heart swell and your eyes fill. It's pure grace.

And then there's this:

Revelation is personal and intimate and sacred. You may be experiencing all this wonder and newness, but if your friends and family are not, it doesn't make you better than them (sorry). Stand up for justice. Be honest about your beliefs. Lead, don't force. Let people have their own experiences. You wake up to your life, and then be there for your loves as they wake up to theirs, which will be different and unique compared to your experience.

If all you become after you've "woken up" is arrogant and prideful your new knowledge hasn't done you any favours. If you aren't more compassionate and kind and empathic, have you really woken up at all?

Look back over this past season: you aren't the person you were. You've grown, evolved, opened, woken up. Not because you've achieved it or earned it or because you are better than the rest of them, but because you've surrendered to becoming who you've always been, to waking up to your own life, to love and grace, and to the truth that sets you free.

Rabbi Ben Hei Hei Said:

We are here to do.
And through doing to learn.
And through learning to know.
And through knowing to experience wonder.
And through wonder to attain wisdom.
And through wisdom to find simplicity.
And through simplicity to give attention.
And through attention to see what needs to be done.

Waking up is our life's work. I pray you keep on waking up for the rest of your days.

Mindful Prompt: Make this prayer your own today:

May today there be peace within.
May you trust God that you are exactly where you
are meant to be.
May you not forget the infinite
possibilities that are born of faith.
May you use those gifts that you have received,
and pass on the love that has been given to you.
May you be content knowing you are a child of God.
Let this presence settle into your bones,
and allow your soul the freedom to sing,
dance, praise and love.
It is there for each and every one of us.
~ St. Theresa.

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Written by Liz Milani.
Instagram: @thepracticeco

* Eph 5:14