Romans 8:26-39 contains a wealth of discussion material, all of it reinforcing the fact that God is rich in love, mercy and compassion. Sometimes this message gets overshadowed by the tasks and issues we're dealing with in day-to-day life, but it is a true and good message nonetheless.
"Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit makes intercession for us with groanings which we don't always understand. Now He (God), who can search our hearts, knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because the Spirit makes intercessions for us according to the will of God. And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose."
The Holy Spirit is the active, loving movement of God in our lives. This Presence is known by different names and phrases such as Holy Spirit, the Breath of Life, Advocate, Ruach, Chi, and others. People throughout time and all over the world have described this active Presence in their lives. The Holy Spirit lives within us, and serves as our Guide when we tap into its Presence.
But because of our human ability to mentally live in either the past, present or future, we don't always make the connection with the Spirit and enjoy all the relationship s/he has to offer. The Holy Spirit is Presence, and this means we must be in the Present Moment to make the connection. If we decide to live in the past or the future, we live there alone. And how do we attain this Presence in the present? Well, the answer to this question is the same as the answer to the question, "How do we get to Carnegie Hall?" The answer: "Practice, practice, practice."
"To be called according to His purpose" means to fully leave in the Present Moment - not dwelling in the past or being overly concerned with the future. Life happens now. The Spirit is in the Now. So the key is to practice present moment awareness, sometimes referred to as "mindfulness." When mindfulness is in you, so is the Holy Spirit. It is then that you can fully understand what you are to do in each moment, regardless of the task at hand.
Being mindful is to know what is going on around you as well as within you at any moment. We must learn to live life slowly, experiencing each and every moment - the sounds, the colors, the faces, the conversation, the feelings, the thoughts. As monastics, we begin spiritual formation slowly, so we learn how to live. And once we get better at it, we learn to go even slower. And eventually when we become masters, we practice life as slowly as possible. If we trip, or drop something, or feel frustrated, or miss something, or feel that life is moving too fast, then life is moving too fast. Slow it down. Return to the present.
Senses: What are you seeing? Hearing? Touching? Tasting?
Thoughts: What are you thinking right now? Why?
Actions: What are you doing right now? Why?
Feelings: What are you feeling right now? Why? Is it you or your ego?
The Holy Spirit will always guide you according to the love of God. God is love - what else can He do? If we truly live each and every moment in the presence of the Presence, it will eventually work out for His good. Practicing mindfulness may be one of the more important spiritual disciplines we ever do.
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