The following are notes taken from a recent motherhood retreat led by Jen Steffensmeier who specializes in evangelization and parish renewal in Omaha, Nebraska.
Our Relationship, Identity, and Mission: The Divine Order
A foundational step towards the truth and our purpose is recognizing our true identity: we are a beloved daughter (or son) of Christ with whom He is well pleased. This isn’t something we earn; it’s a gift freely given. From this deep understanding flows our relationship with God, and from that relationship, our mission in the world. Our mission isn’t just what we do, but how we live, guided by the unique gifts He has given us.
The challenge arises when we reverse this order. When we allow our mission – our accomplishments, our roles, our doing – to define our identity, it inevitably strains our relationship with God. We start chasing worldly success or validation, mistaking it for worth.
Hearing His Voice Amidst the Noise
In the chaos of modern life, maintaining this vital relationship demands intentionality. We must choose and prioritize time in silence and in prayer. This isn’t a luxury; it’s essential for nurturing the relationship that affirms our identity and, in turn, guides our mission.
Consider this: What is Jesus inviting you to, versus what is the worldly way inviting you to? Are we truly taking enough time to discern His gentle guidance? We often turn to countless other voices – social media, expectations, anxieties, societal norm pressures – voices that relentlessly pull us out of the sacred space of remaining in Him.
This leads to a crucial question: What commitments are we making, even if they seem like good things, that are actually preventing us from resting in Him and hearing His voice? We are called to be present to what He is calling us to, not merely to what fills our calendars.
The Freedom of True Rest
Remaining in God’s love brings not just fleeting happiness, but true joy, lasting peace, and steady security. We’re reminded that we cannot bear true, lasting fruit without Him. It’s a powerful act of humility and liberation to slow down and acknowledge our utter poverty, recognizing that we can fully rely on Him instead of striving to create and accomplish success on our own, in the world’s limited terms.
How incredibly freeing it is to rest in our identity in Him, rather than in the shifting identity the world tries to impose! When life feels heavy and burdensome, it’s often a sign that we’re trying to control too much ourselves, bearing weights that were never meant for us, but rather for us to give to Christ.
Jesus understands our weaknesses and insecurities. He holds them in His infinite love and mercy, patiently waiting for us to step away from worldly ways and follow Him, so we might finally experience true joy and rest. He longs to give us gifts, and desires for us to share our own unique gifts with others.
Love, Trust, and the Path to Deeper Joy
True joy, a joy deeper than passing feelings or external circumstances, is found when our entire lives are consumed by love for God. As the saints knew, a life fully devoted to loving God with our whole heart is the path to this profound contentment.
This journey often involves trust, especially in moments of emptiness or spiritual dryness. These periods are not mistakes, but opportunities. Trusting God’s path, even when it’s unclear, carves out a greater capacity for love within us. We shouldn’t be surprised if, in His mercy, God occasionally allows us to stumble, precisely so we learn to rely on Him more fully. Our own lack of security, when paired with a bold confidence in the Lord, becomes a sign of spiritual health, compelling us to place our security in someone infinitely greater.
Finally, consider the profound truth: God intended me to exist; I am a word spoken by God. He breathed life into us, speaking us into being. And Jesus, in His boundless love, takes the incredible risk of trusting us, even knowing we might doubt Him, twist His words, or act contrary to His will. Yet, for the sake of offering us the opportunity to hear Him, He endures this pain, believing we are still worth trusting in the hope of arousing our hearts to trust Him in return.
Where in your life does shame prevent you from meeting Jesus’ gaze or letting Him delight in you? Can you pause, whether in moments of triumph or frustration, to praise God for securing your identity in His love, knowing it’s not defined by what you can or cannot do?
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