Guided In Grace

No matter how clear or obvious our spiritual guidance, we sometimes miss its initial expression. We feel an impulse to call a friend, complete a task, or clarify an understanding, but then dismiss it. The impulse recurs and we think, “Oh, yeah. I gotta do that,” but still we procrastinate. Eventually, something happens that can’t be ignored: the friendship falters, the leaky pipe bursts, the small miscommunication snowballs into a family feud.

Time was, I thought of guidance as a benefit of diligent spiritual practice, or as divine wisdom I needed to decode through vigilant attention. If I prayed faithfully enough,  if I meditated “correctly,” if I felt divinely connected, if my thinking were sufficiently positive, then I could tell the difference between divine guidance and ego’s will. I labored under the notion that recognizing guidance involved heavy duty discipline.

Certainly, spiritual practice is important for cultivating a state of openness and receptivity to Spirit’s leading. But it doesn’t have to be difficult. We don’t have to do it perfectly. Nor does it have to be harsh.

Often on airplanes, I don’t hear the preparation-for-landing announcement broadcast over the aircraft P.A. system. So I’m not unaccustomed to tired crew members tersely repeating the instruction to raise my seatback and stow my tray table. The last time it happened, though, instead of a verbal rebuke, a lovely spokesmodel hand with perfectly manicured nails politely tapped the edge of my tray table, then the touched the seatback in front me. No words. Just a warm affirming nod of thanks as I complied.

It was such a gracious reminder, I’m using it as an image for receiving divine guidance. After all, which would you prefer? The gentle tapping of manicured nails or the harsh clubbing of a “cosmic 2x4?"

I pray your guidance is as gentle and gracious as it is unmistakable.

Rev. Kurt