Helping others grow into Christ rests on an understanding and conviction that the primary shaping work in a person’s life belongs to God. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do (Ephesians 2:10, NIV). Our primary burden as God’s people is to be alert and receptive to God’s relentlessly creative handiwork in the world. All our best thinking and acting are secondary to and cooperative with the Spirit’s shaping work.
This is such good news for us. The Triune God is the Great Worker always at work. Creating. Saving. Cultivating Community. Loving. The Spirit’s attention and care go before, alongside, and follow after all of our efforts. And we get a front-row seat on this great work – transforming lives. What a great privilege…
Over the centuries St. Patrick’s Prayer has helped men and women like yourself seek and discover and relax into this stunning and kind companionship. Ponder and pray and be open to being surprised along the way this November 2022.
Christ, as a light illumine and guide me.
Christ, as a shield overshadow me.
Christ under me;
Christ over me;
Christ beside me on my left and my right.
This day be within and without me, lowly and meek,
yet all powerful.
Be in the heart of each to whom I speak;
in the mouth of each who speaks unto me.
This day be within and without me, lowly and meek,
yet all powerful.
Christ as a light;
Christ as a shield;
Christ beside me on my left and my right.St. Patrick’s Prayer
May you continue to embrace the reality that Christ’s kind companionship is the big story in your whole life. Blessings on the journey…
This entry has been adapted from A Mentoring Guide: Christ. Conversation. Companionship (VantagePoint3, 2019), pages 94-95.
