The Ladybug

Tag: Compassion

  • When my Spirit is in the Desert

    Confession: I am in a spiritual desert.  Perhaps you can relate.  Does the spirit just not feel quite as alive within you?  Well, that is my experience.  The major cause for me personally is stress!!!  I would love to believe that I am such a great Christian as to not drift away from God during intense periods of stress, but who am I kidding??  When life is hard or unfair, I blame God.  In my anger I step further and further away from Him.  It may be a childish reaction.  It may only make my circumstances more difficult.  And…it may lead to the desert.  Then I am alone and struggling. 

                So, what is the easy solution?  There is none!  But opening my eyes and looking around at my desert surroundings is the first step.  I must realize that my toes are sinking in the sand.  The desert is vast and mysterious.  The first step is admitting that I’ve wandered there.  If I stay in denial about my spiritual health, then God is unable to heal the relationship with me.  Let me be very clear about one fact: God never steps away from us; we step away from Him.  God always desires a loving and close bond with those He created.  God never causes bad things to happen to His beloved.  Instead, God longs for our relationship with Him to aid us in conquering the stress of a broken world. 

                The next step is sticking true to your personal spiritual rituals Even while you are in the desert.  For example, if you connect with God in nature, then take a walk!  If you connect with God through music, then lift your voice or other instrument!  If you find God in art, then dance or paint!  Never Give Up!  The key to finding your way through the desert spiritually is to keep on trudging under the sun’s hot rays.  Staying true to your passions connects you to the Spirit of Love.  In turn, the Spirit intercedes for you with God, as described in Romans 8:26-27 in the Bible.  I like to paraphrase this Scripture as such: the Spirit is a friend inside your heart that can relate to God what your thoughts and yearnings contain, all without words. 

                Ultimately, re-establishing a connection with God is the best tool for surviving the deep desert that we all may experience from time-to-time.  Therefore, a third tip I will share is that trying something new in your spiritual routine or coping skills set is a great way to re-gain that connection.  For example, in March 2024, I began volunteering to be a worship leader and sermon preacher at a local church.  Previously, I mostly volunteered doing mission work, which I loved.  However, I have now found that I have a passion for delivering sermons and organizing prayers.  I feel the Joy of God when I engage in these activities.  I find leading worship to be challenging and exciting as well.  I would not have felt these wonderful feelings if I was afraid to try something new!

                In addition, I want to make space for the fact that sometimes, engaging in new spiritual activities that require a healthy body or mind are not possible.  I, myself, have experienced this reality recently.  I have been struggling physically with a severe tick-borne illness, as well as the mental stress that results.  If you are depressed, or facing any other mental health emergency, please seek professional support. I am blessed to benefit from an excellent support system of professional mental health care.  Also, I would advise some other types of low-key forms of exercise.  Some types I have used include: a stationary-bike, a yoga mat, and 2lbs weights that allow me to “work-out” gently.  Movement can be beneficial for both chronic medical and mental illnesses.  I find that moving my body, even slowly, connects me to God.

                I will close by saying that though the journey is tough, it is worth it!  God is a beautiful constant in a world of chaos.  Draw close to Him, even if you are stressed, and He will respond.  Keep Going on the road of faith!  The desert is cruel and dusty, but even Jesus walked there, and with the aid of His Father in Heaven, Jesus walked out into eternal glory.  He will help you out of desert living as well!    

                In Living Water, G.

    PS: A picture of my time writing to you, Ladybug readers!!!

  • Unity: Loving the Differences

    I am inspired by Senator Cory Booker’s record-breaking 25-hour senate speech that took place from Monday to Tuesday.  As I tuned in to watch Senator Booker’s impassioned talk, I was struck by his call for unity.  He specifically emphasized that the problems which Americans are facing are, “not right or left, but right or wrong.”  I agree that division in our country is being caused by problems that are a matter of good vs. evil, and are not a matter of Republican vs. Democrat.  In fact, Senator Booker repeatedly spoke about his desire to work in a bipartisan way.  I firmly believe in an America where political leaders can join for the good of the people, the nation, and the Constitution, without letting party loyalty cloud their judgement. 

    The issues I have with the Trump administration are, in fact, issues of morality, and not politics.  Specifically, many of my issues with the current leadership involve my belief that they are acting in a way that expressly goes against the teachings of the Bible.  Jesus in his ministry welcomed the poor, the ostracized, the immigrant, the sick, the widowed, the homeless, the disabled, and the sick.  Donald Trump does not care about anyone in these categories.  All the current president’s policies attack those that the Bible supports.  I call myself a progressive Christian, and as such, I can not support those in power who are attacking all my beliefs.  I must peacefully resist.

    However, this strong opinion of mine raises an interesting dilemma: do I then also not support my friends who are Trump followers?  I indeed have many friends and acquaintances who are much more conservative politically than I am, and I know many voted for Trump in the presidential race in November 2024.  How do I reconcile my moral compass and my values as a progressive Christian with my social circles?  Well, what would Jesus do?  Again, I must turn to the Bible for guidance. 

    A verse from the Bible App caught my eye, “Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” 1 John 4:11.  I must love those whom God puts in my life.  Jesus’ gospel is about love.  Jesus constantly shared love with everyone He met.  The quote from 1 John is a reminder of God’s desire for Christians to be a loving presence in a broken and fallen world.  Loving others is not easy, especially when there are differences of opinion.  But I am determined to rise to the challenge of loving those I disagree with, because God is calling me to do so. 

    Coming full-circle to Senator Booker’s speech, I want to emphasize that a spirit of unity, and a commitment to love, does not mean that I condone evil.  The Trump administration is enacting some truly evil policies, and I will let my pen and my vote speak for me.  I will follow my values system and my conscience when I make decisions about my life and my actions.  But I must constantly persevere with an attitude of compassion, empathy, and respect for my fellow Americans, despite which political party they belong to. 

    America is being tested.  Can we respond to the threat on our Constitution and our laws?  Can we protect the most vulnerable populations that live in this great country?  Are we truly the land of the free?  We must answer this crossroads moment in history with a resounding cry of unity and love for all, and a defense of all we hold dear for who we are as a nation.  In contrast, an approach of division and hate will only bring about our downfall.  Please join me in advocating for what is just and fair, whether you are on the right or the left side, let us be together on the American side.

    With Justice, G.