02 marzo 2011

Reflexiones sobre el Sabático - Reflections on Sabbatical

Dios habla, siempre lo hace. De maneras diferentes. Pero siempre habla. Algunas veces, en la rutina de la vida, hay cosas por las que no nos paramos a pensar o nos olvidamos en el camino. Dejarme compartir algunas ideas de estos meses de descanso.

- Soy hija de Dios, esta es mi identidad. Soy amada y no tengo que hacer nada para ganarme o aumentar su amor.

- Él tiene que estar en el centro de mi vida, entonces estaré realmente “en casa”.

- Él es digno de toda confianza, puedo descansar.

- El dolor no debe ser ni absorbido ni evitado. Jesús está aquí.

- Soy parte del cuerpo de Cristo. La comunidad es importante.

- Puedo amar a otros profundamente por el amor de Dios. Y puedo darlo incondicionalmente.

- Soy enviada en el nombre de Dios; tengo una misión, difícil pero fructífera.

- Tengo que vivir para la gloria de Dios.


El libro: The Inner Voice of Love: A Journey Through Anguish to Freedom” de H. Nouwen (¡por desgracia no existe en español!) ha sido la fuente de muchas de estas ideas. Me ha bendecido profundamente. ¡Lo recomiendo!

Al reincorporarme leí el Salmos 121:

1 Alzaré mis ojos a los montes; ¿De dónde vendrá mi socorro? 2 Mi socorro viene de Jehová, que hizo los cielos y la tierra. 3 No dará tu pie al resbaladero, Ni se dormirá el que te guarda. 4 He aquí, no se adormecerá ni dormirá 
el que guarda a Israel. 5 Jehová es tu guardador; Jehová es tu sombra a tu mano derecha. 6 El sol no te fatigará de día, ni la luna de noche. 7 Jehová te guardará de todo mal; El guardará tu alma. 8 Jehová guardará tu salida y tu entrada desde ahora y para siempre.

¡Qué ánimo recordar que Dios es!:

- Nuestro Ayudador (v.1,2)

- Nuestro Cuidador (v. 3,4,5,8)

- Nuestro Protector (v.5,7)

Para que nuestro pie no resbale (v.3) – circunstancias internas (nuestra debilidad) y a fin de que ni el sol ni la luna nos dañen (v. 6) – circunstancias externas (el enemigo, otras personas, etc.).

***

God speaks, he always does. In different ways. But he always speaks. Sometimes, in the routine of life, there are things we don't take time to think about or things we forget. Let me share with you some of the truths that God has reminded me during these months of rest.

- I am a child of God and this is my identity. I am the beloved. And there is nothing I have to do win or widen his love.

- He ought to be at the centre of my life. Then I am home.

- He is trustworthy. I can rest.

- Pain is neither to be avoided nor to be absorbed. Jesus is here.

- I belong to the body of Christ. The community is important.

- I can love others deeply because of his love. And I can give it unconditionally.

- I am sent in God’s name. I have a mission in God, hard but fruitful.

- I ought t olive for the glory of God.

The Inner Voice of Love: A Journey Through Anguish to Freedom” from H. Nouwen has been the source of a lot of these thoughts. It has richly blessed me. I recommend it!

This is Henri Nouwen's "secret journal." It was written during the most difficult period of his life, when he suddenly lost his self-esteem, his energy to live and work, his sense of being loved, even his hope in God. Although he experienced excruciating anguish and despair, he was still able to keep a journal in which he wrote each day a spiritual imperative to himself, which emerged from his conversations with friends and supporters.

As I started back I read Psalm 121:

1 I lift up my eyes to the mountains — where does my help come from? 
2 My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.3 He will not let your foot slip — he who watches over you will not slumber; 
4 indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. 5 The LORD watches over you — the LORD is your shade at your right hand; 
6 the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. 7 The LORD will keep you from all harm — he will watch over your life; 
8 the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.

It was such an encouragement to be reminded that God is:

- Our Helper (v.1,2)

- Our Carer (v. 3,4,5,8)

- Our Protector (v.5,7)

So that our feet won’t sleep (v.3) – internal circumstances (our weakness) and so that the sun nor the moon will hurt us (v. 6) – external circumstances (the devil, others, etc.).