Fr Alex Swain

Beloved in Christ,

The lifelong journey towards Christ is one that takes, at least in my experience, many twists and turns. 

There are periods of profound spiritual zeal where the presence and guiding hand of the Holy Spirit press upon my heart and mind and energize me forward.

There are also periods of profound spiritual aridity, where the presence of God feels far away.

Most of the time, I find myself somewhere in between these peaks and troughs.

No matter where we may find ourselves, I am confident that with God, no experience, no thing, no feeling, no deviating path, is ever wasted. All can be redeemed and transformed in the light of God.

Today’s reading from Colossians has made me think about prayer and the divine support we receive from God as we journey towards knowing Him ever more fully. St. Paul writes, “May you be made strong with all the strength that comes from his glorious power, and may you be prepared to endure everything with patience…”

We are made strong and tasked to endure.

At times I have found myself praying that hardships be taken away.

Difficulties removed.

Temptations emptied.

Rather, the testimony of the Holy Scriptures and early monastics declare that the spiritual path requires strength to withstand, resist, and struggle.

And it is through the strength, given by God, that we can patiently endure. And in patient endurance, we find ourselves being molded ever closer to God.

Not by making the pathway smooth and free of challenge.

But by increasing our ability to walk on the rough patches – getting callouses and strong muscles to withstand and endure the twists and turns of life.

God wastes nothing of our experience!

As we sojourn in this earthly pilgrimage, may we remember to ask our loving Lord for the strength to endure, and for the graceful gift of patient endurance.

Amen!

Yours in Christ,

—Fr Alex