I began using Spiritual Exercises tonight – Foundation. In keeping with the Hints, I asked my Father to tell me about being a creature. He showed me that I was created for a purpose. I have a part in His plan, as do all His creatures. But, because He is Love, and love cannot force itself on anyone, I have a free will. I can choose to cooperate with God or reject Him.

If I reject Him, I put myself in a no-win situation. I have no power to harm neither Him nor His plan for His Kingdom. I deny myself the strength He would give me. I would give power to Satan, but would Satan be grateful for it? Only as far as would suit his purposes. He would be just as apt to turn that power against me, and, ultimately, I would share in his defeat.

If I chose God, then I am in a no-lose situation. I have God’s loving protection and blessings in all that I do in accordance with His will. All that I touch will benefit from my choice, not because of anything that I am but because of the goodness of the God whose instrument I am. Ultimately, I will share in His Kingdom. With things so clearly put, it’s hard to imagine anything standing between God and me for very long!

He led me to Jeremiah 17:5-11 then, and I found “Cursed is the man who trusts in human beings,” or in any other created thing, to be very true from experience. Only God has never let me down in even the smallest way. He was faithful to me even when I was unfaithful to Him!

We went to Philippians 4:11-13. “In Him who is the source of my strength, I have strength for everything,” is a continuation of that thought. (1)

(1) Spiritual director: From time to time, it would be good to go back over all of this until it becomes a part of your life.