Once in awhile we are pushed to clear ourselves from impurities or insecurities in our lives. Comfortable people are the least likely to move. But that also means they are the least likely to move others. In the end the question then becomes, which do I want to be comfortable or moving others? Can I deal with the cleansing and accept that things will be new and different on the other side?
As I have said in a couple of posts this Spring has somehow moved me to purify things; my house, my relationships, my life. Today in yet another step on that journey I felt pulled to going hiking by myself. I didn't have much time and there were a couple of requirements; it had to be high and overlooking the water. I chose Chimney Rock. As I walked up the canyon I felt heavy and burdened, knowing I was being pushed to move so that I too could move people. Each step was difficult, my breath labored. I knew what I was coming up to this peak to do. I knew I had to release the weight, give it all to God.
We have to be open to shaping. We are shaped much like that canyon I was hiking through. Water rolls over us and we are molded, softened. It winds around our souls guiding us to move this way and that. Sometimes, like in the Spring, the water pushes hard against us forcing a change so that by Summer we might rest in the still waters.
I continued climbing trying to determine what I was being led to do; jump, lead or follow. A leap of faith takes all three. When I arrived at the top I sat and looked out over the canyon below with the river winding its path and shaping continually the life of all that surrounds it. I saw the rapids where the water is rough because the rocks are still jagged, they haven't been softened yet. I saw the still waters where the deep envelops. I saw the riffles, the pools, the movement. Taking it in I spoke softly all that has been on my mind. I reached at my feet and found a rock. I took the rock in my hand. It had not been shaped by the river recently, its location to high to be touched. It symbolized my soul. I moved that rock and began stepping towards the base of the Chimney that is Chimney Rock. Tears began to stream down my face. I lifted my wishes, hopes, dreams and all that I needed to be cleansed from and laid it down at the base of the rock, giving it all to God. I sat back down on the bench and broke out in song.
The journey down was lighter. I didn't feel as burdened but I still knew I had more work ahead. My river has not stopped shaping me and I still have many rough edges. Don't we all though? It is when we let go of those rough edges that they become softened. Discomfort is just a massage from above forcing us to move so we can move others.
Sunday, April 14, 2013
Tuesday, April 9, 2013
Is Burning the Sage, Sage Advice?
I was recently encouraged to burn sage over my personal property in order to cleanse it of any bad blood. I bought the sage but I haven't burned it yet. How exactly do you go about burning sage over things? Do I put it in an incense burner? Do I light a leaf and sweep it across things hoping it won't light anything on fire? Is burning sage, sage advice?
Sage is supposed to bring cleansing to your life. I certainly feel this spring the need for a deep spiritual cleansing of my life. I wish to reawaken with a sense of renewed zeal for life and purpose.
I don't use much sage in my life because frankly to me it doesn't smell good or taste good when used on things. The idea of actually burning it in my house makes me scrunch my nose up. I wonder, how long will that smell last? Do I have to keep smelling it in order for the cleansing to happen?
A friend of mine recently talked about cleaning out the rooms of your life to make way for what it is you truly want in life. I loved the comparisons made. Here are a few I found applicable. If you desire to have a lasting relationship you must prepare for that relationship to come. If you have taken over the man areas of your house but still want a man, where will he find a home? In this respect my house is a mess. I have been alone so long that I have taken over every inch of space, even that of my children's rooms. So therein lies the correlation, am I truly prepared to have a lasting relationship? Do I do things which could easily include another person or is my life lived solo? That is an easy and convicting answer, I live my life solo. I always say that if a man comes into my life and fits it perfectly then I will commit. And yet I supposedly have a desire to have a man in my life. Where can I find the room to clean out for him?
That brings me back to the sage. On further investigation of burning the sage, the Latin word for sage means to heal. If I am honest I probably could use a healing. I need to heal from the closed doors and rigidity that rules my life, the constant no's and never yes.
To burn the sage you are supposed to use dried sage and light it (in an incense burner) while walking through your house. You are supposed to have a purpose in mind for burning it. If you have specific areas of your life that you want cleansed you should burn the sage over yourself but that is not to say you inhale the smoke, just be in its presence. Focusing on the gateways of your home is important. This is an essential place for cleansing in my home. We get home and immediately as we pass through the door there is conflict. We need cleansed of this conflict. I feel my personal cleansing is in Jesus and my confession of sin but burning sage while confessing may help me breathe in the newness of the spirit. As I continue to seek wisdom in life it seems sage (wise) advice to burn the sage and cleanse the stale air of my existence.
Sage is supposed to bring cleansing to your life. I certainly feel this spring the need for a deep spiritual cleansing of my life. I wish to reawaken with a sense of renewed zeal for life and purpose.
I don't use much sage in my life because frankly to me it doesn't smell good or taste good when used on things. The idea of actually burning it in my house makes me scrunch my nose up. I wonder, how long will that smell last? Do I have to keep smelling it in order for the cleansing to happen?
A friend of mine recently talked about cleaning out the rooms of your life to make way for what it is you truly want in life. I loved the comparisons made. Here are a few I found applicable. If you desire to have a lasting relationship you must prepare for that relationship to come. If you have taken over the man areas of your house but still want a man, where will he find a home? In this respect my house is a mess. I have been alone so long that I have taken over every inch of space, even that of my children's rooms. So therein lies the correlation, am I truly prepared to have a lasting relationship? Do I do things which could easily include another person or is my life lived solo? That is an easy and convicting answer, I live my life solo. I always say that if a man comes into my life and fits it perfectly then I will commit. And yet I supposedly have a desire to have a man in my life. Where can I find the room to clean out for him?
That brings me back to the sage. On further investigation of burning the sage, the Latin word for sage means to heal. If I am honest I probably could use a healing. I need to heal from the closed doors and rigidity that rules my life, the constant no's and never yes.
To burn the sage you are supposed to use dried sage and light it (in an incense burner) while walking through your house. You are supposed to have a purpose in mind for burning it. If you have specific areas of your life that you want cleansed you should burn the sage over yourself but that is not to say you inhale the smoke, just be in its presence. Focusing on the gateways of your home is important. This is an essential place for cleansing in my home. We get home and immediately as we pass through the door there is conflict. We need cleansed of this conflict. I feel my personal cleansing is in Jesus and my confession of sin but burning sage while confessing may help me breathe in the newness of the spirit. As I continue to seek wisdom in life it seems sage (wise) advice to burn the sage and cleanse the stale air of my existence.
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