Spiritual Formation and Prayer
Each time I return from the residency portion of my D Min Studies at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, I know something has taken place within my soul. God speaks, wether silently or otherwise.
Within two days of arrival at the retreat, I heard “anxious” and “listen”. Anxious transformed into a word about trusting the goodness of God in everything and that my anxiousness results from precisely the opposite -- thinking I must be in charge or control of outcomes in my life. God had been speaking to me about His fantastic goodness through the last year, but something affected the reception. “Listen” focused on the answer. God, incidentally, happens to be always lovingly present and always advocating my best interest. No, not my will, but His will, which always has my best interests at hand concerning His Kingdom purposes. The clear issue has to do with trusting God’s goodness.
Beyond that, the impact of the focus on prayer and praying bore fruit when I returned to Poland. Slowing me down, helping me trust, and moving me to listen to Him and those around me. I pray that it continues.