Journey Toward Abundant Living

Burks UMC labyrinth, dd Sept. 2012

In my reading this morning from A Guide to Prayer For All Who Seek God for Pentecost Sunday, I read this quote:

"Our journey toward abundant living is like walking a spiritual labyrinth repeatedly, from an ever deepening inner space.  We walk toward the center to be transformed by God's love; then we walk outward to transform our small space in the world by reflecting God's love.  There is no intention to trick us or get us lost along the journey.  But there is mystery.  Always mystery.  And awe.  And amazing grace."  --From Abundance by Marilyn Brown Oden

Several things in this quote caught my attention.

First, I enjoy walking a labyrinth for prayer and focus and I could relate to the "walking to the center" and then "walk outward" parts of the quote.  The quote also contains the rhythm of the spiritual life as modeled by Jesus: being transformed by God's love (inner/center) and then reaching out to others by reflecting God's love (outer).  Jesus spent time getting away to be with God in prayer for spiritual renewal throughout his ministry.  Jesus understood that in order to live out a life of ministry, one needed to be in constant connection with the Father.  This pattern is an inward/outward flow. 

Another aspect that caught my attention is the mystery.  There is mystery.  In seeking to know and understand the God of Creation, it isn't the mystery that I desire to figure out, but rather I seek to grow in the relationship.  Mystery can remain.  There is much I don't know and much I don't need to know. 

The term "abundant living" caught my attention too.  Who doesn't want to live life abundantly?!?!  Loving God and loving others is a way to live the abundant life. 

"Deepening inner space"-- there is a deepening inner space as this journey toward abundant living continues.  Deeper and deeper it seems to go.  When I think there is no farther deeper to explore, it is there.

I haven't heard of this author or her book before, so I checked her out.  It turns out that Marilyn Brown Oden has written 11 books to date, several of them novels.  The full title of the book that the above quote comes from is Abundance: Joyful Living in Christ.  It was published in 2002 by the Upper Room.  Besides being a writer, Marilyn is the wife to a retired United Methodist Bishop.  She has led retreats, counseled, traveled, taught, etc.  Two of her non-fiction books are centered around Advent and Lent.  They look like they would be good books for those seasons. 

This quote was a good one to cause me to pause, to allow me to slow down and reflect. 

How is your journey toward abundant living?  Are you walking toward the center and walking outward?  Are you being transformed by God's love and then reflecting that love to others?

Blessings on your journey!  Walk on!

Debra