Reforming (phase 1), The Principle of Freedom (step 3), session 5

From your dwelling you water the hills;
by your works the earth has its fill.
You make the grass grow for the cattle
and plants to serve mankind’s need.
That he may bring forth bread from the earth
and wine to cheer the heart;
oil, to make faces shine,
and bread to strengthen the heart of man. - Ps 104, 3-15

What might this have to do with the Principle of Freedom? As it relates to our human vocation, it is absolutely essential that I not forget that it is God who provides for my needs. When I am in the midst of circumstances that seem overwhelming or hopeless, I can become intimidated in a way that causes me to turn away from the path to which God is calling me. I think of how long I resisted my initial entry into counseling, even as it became increasingly obvious that I was hurting the people I love most, because I could not see any way out of the hole I had dug for myself. I failed to consider the lilies - okay, I didn't quote that exact verse in this post, but it was part of the reading for that session - and to realize that God will never fail to provide for what we need.

I think this causes us so much anxiety! We agonize over every implication and ramification of each decision we might make, rather than simply making sure that we are not committing sin and trusting God to provide for the details. We forget that God is equally capable of redirecting our steps for us by placing obstacles within our path and of using the steps we take for greater glory than the ones we might have chosen in their stead. We also fail to remember that God is never surprised by any decision we make, as he has already seen us make it.

This scripture speaks directly to where I have been living. I become filled with despair when I begin to think that it is up to me to provide for everything (I think) I need and I can't see any way of doing that.

All of these look to you
to give them their food in due season.
You give it, they gather it up;
you open wide your hand, they are well filled.
You hide your face, they are dismayed;
you take away their breath, they die,
returning to the dust from which they came.
You send forth your spirit, and they are created,
and you renew the face of the earth.
May the glory of the LORD last forever!
May the LORD rejoice in his works!
He looks on the earth and it trembles;
he touches the mountains and they smoke.
I will sing to the LORD all my life,
sing psalms to my God while I live.
May my thoughts be pleasing to him.
I will rejoice in the LORD. - Ps 104, 27-34

What a wonderful song of praise. I always have freedom to fulfill my vocation of glorifying God with my life because God is always supplying my need, even when I don't see my life that way.