Category Meditations

Who are you so that we may give an answer to those who sent us? What do you say about yourself? He said, “I am a voice crying out in the desert, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ just as the prophet Isaiah said. John 1:22-23

In a world often filled with challenges and uncertainty akin to the wilderness of our lives, including anxieties, grief, depression, stress and resentment, the ability to inspire Hopeand speak life remains one of the most profound gifts we can offer.

In Today’s readings, you will encounter John the Baptist, who is being questioned about his identity from Jerusalem by the priests and Levites who sent the Jews. They ask him who he is, and he replies that he is a voice crying out in the desert, make straight the way of the lord. The role of John continues to unfold in the gospel of John as the primary witness of Jesus Christ. In retrospect, this reading is an opportunity to ponder through and identify your role as a person of Faith called by God to impact the lives of others through your gifts and talents.

And so you wonder, in a world full of different challenges and uncertainties, what does it truly mean to inspire Hope? Is it merely by giving out material things? Offering words of comfort? Being empathetic or offering a listening ear. Just like a drop in a water pond that ripples outward, you will be surprised how small gestures come a long way as an oasis in the desert of people’s lives. How do you become a beacon of light?

1. Check the Status of your Jar

In a society where you are conditioned to focus externally most of the time, you can get overwhelmed by the needs and demands of others at your own expense. Checking the status of your jar means self-introspection on your inner resources, such as your personal qualities, strengths, weaknesses, ability to navigate challenges, decision-making, resilience, adaptability, and so on. Moreover, it means understanding who I am, where my source is, and what my being is rooted in.

Secondly, ask yourself how far your jar is in terms of being replenished. What do you do to keep your jar full, and what self-care practices do you do? How do you keep your spiritual, mental and emotional well-being nourished? Remember, you cannot pour from an empty Jar. As you ponder this, jot down the areas you must work on.

• Lead by Example

Allow yourself to be a demonstration of Hope amid the challenges you are going through. It is easier said than done when you talk about Hope to someone. You model and lead by example by practising resilience, Proactiveness, and remaining hopeful during difficult situations. People pick on the nonverbal and actions as opposed to what is being said.

• Use your Gift

Every person has something they naturally excel at or an inherent talent, skill, or trait that sets them apart. When these are used intentionally, they become powerful tools for impacting the lives of others. For instance, as a writer, you can write stories that inspire Hope and resilience. The question to ponder is, what do I excel at? How can I tailor my approach or skill to solve a problem or impact someone in need?

• Ignite the spark in others.

Listening to someone without judging them is among the greatest gifts you can offer someone. You may often find yourself constantly interrupting someone to share your opinion or unsolicited advice based on how you view the world. But rarely do you give a listening ear. Moving forward, challenge yourself to listen to others and see how this will change the dynamics of your relationships with others.

In addition, they should express genuine confidence in their abilities, even when others doubt themselves. Say words like, ‘You can do it’ to support them and, ‘What one small step can you take towards your big goal?’ to challenge them.

Conclusion

Inspiring Hope in others is one of the most profound acts of kindness and leadership. Hope is contagious. When you are hopeful and ignite Hope in others, it creates a ripple effect, empowering each person to face challenges with resilience.

You can become a beacon of light in your journey by demonstrating self-care, resourcefulness, leadership by example, and deep listening.

Questions to Ponder

Who am I?

Who is my source?

What is my area of Gifting?

What Problem can I solve with my gift?

Prayer

Dear God, Thank you for life and your grace. Please open my eyes to identify my area of Gifting. Please give me the courage to use my gift to solve a problem and live in alignment with my destiny. Amen

People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27 Then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in a cloud’ with power and great glory. 28 Now, when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads because your redemption is drawing near. Luke 21: 26-28

Have you ever found yourself in a moment when hope felt out of reach, buried beneath the weight of a storm you were facing? I can imagine the despairing moment when everything seemed uncertain, and felt like the darkness would never lift.

In Today’s Reading, from Luke’s gospel, the passage draws our attention to two distinctive prophecy lenses: one of the destruction of Jerusalem by the Roman armies in 70 A.D., the other of the second coming of Christ at the end of the time. Looking back, this passage is deeply relevant to our daily lives. It reminds us that even amidst chaos and destruction, redemption, renewal, and joy can be just around the corner. No matter how frightening life may seem, God’s care and protection are always nearby. Jesus uses signs from nature to point to this truth.

In times of chaos, whether it’s personal challenges, global crises, or the uncertainty of life, fear and doubt can often cloud our sense of peace. So, how can we hold on to hopein such moments?

1. Sit in The Feeling: Embracing Your Emotions During the Storm

Amid a storm, it’s natural to want to push away difficult emotions like fear, sadness, or frustration. However, true hope often begins when you fully experience these emotions instead of avoiding them. By sitting in the feeling, you acknowledge your pain, uncertainty, and vulnerability, which can ultimately create space for healing and growth. This doesn’t mean you remain stuck in despair, but rather that we permit ourselves to feel without judgment. Doing so helps you move through the storm with a deeper sense of resilience, allowing hope to gradually emerge from accepting our emotions.

• Focus on What You Can Control

Focusing on what you can control is crucial in a world of unpredictable events. It might include your daily routine, your response to challenges, or your relationships. When external circumstances seem overwhelming, taking small, manageable actions can provide a sense of stability and purpose. Control over the little things empowers you to face the bigger uncertainties with a clearer mind.

• Practice Self-Care

In times of hardship, people often forget to prioritize themselves, becoming so consumed by external challenges that they neglect their well-being. Yet self-care isn’t a luxury; it’s a vital necessity that helps restore energy, soothe minds, and restore balance.

Self-care can take many forms, from physical activities like exercise and adequate rest to emotional practices such as journaling, meditation, or therapy. By intentionally nurturing your body, mind, and spirit, you build a foundation that helps you face life’s chaos with greater resilience and clarity. Caring for yourself strengthens your ability to endure, heal, and find moments of peace even amidst the storms.

• Practice Gratitude

Focusing solely on what’s going wrong is easy when life feels overwhelming. However, practicing gratitude and focusing on the positive aspects of your life can significantly shift your mindset. It doesn’t mean ignoring hardship but making space for joy and thankfulness moments. Even in difficult times, finding small things to be grateful for can foster a sense of hope and remind us that there is always light, even in darkness.

• Seek Support from Others

Hope can often be rekindled through connection. During tough times, it’s vital to surround yourself with a supportive community—whether family, friends or a broader network of people who understand your struggles. Sharing your fears and hopes with others creates bonds of empathy and collective strength. Even in the darkest moments, knowing you are not alone can be a source of profound hope.

Conclusion:

Remaining hopeful amid chaos and turmoil is a challenging yet essential journey. We can stay grounded in hope by focusing on what we can control, remembering the larger purpose, nurturing our faith, seeking community support, practicing gratitude, building resilience, visualizing a brighter future, and taking action. In times of chaos, hope is not just about waiting for things to improve—it’s about finding meaning, purpose, and strength amid the storm.

Questions to Ponder?

How have I been handling the storms in my life?

What inner resources can I tap into when I am going through a difficult season?

It is like a mustard seed that a man took and planted in the garden. When it was fully grown, it became a large bush, and ‘the birds of the sky dwelt in its branches. Luke 13:18-21

What if the secret to achieving big goals lies in minor actions? How much could you accomplish if you committed to small, consistent habits over time instead of aiming for instant transformations? Could tiny, daily efforts make a difference in the grand scheme?

The parable of the mustard seed beautifully illustrates how even the smallest beginnings can lead to remarkable growth. In ancient texts, this tiny seed—one of the smallest in the garden—transforms into a large, sheltering tree over time. Its story invites a reflection on the power of small, consistent actions or atomic habits in our lives.

Imagine each atomic habit as a mustard seed: a tiny, almost imperceptible effort that, when tended daily, can grow beyond our expectations. Personal growth and change demand patience, care, and commitment, as the mustard seed doesn’t become a tree overnight. With every small action you take- whether it’s a few minutes of self-care, reading a page of a book, or choosing gratitude over frustrations- you are planting seeds for future transformation.

This meditation on the mustard seed reminds us that it’s not the grand gestures but the consistent, tiny acts that shape who we become. Over time, these atomic habits can redefine your life, helping you cultivate a space of resilience, growth, and meaning. Like the mustard tree, your small, steady actions create an impact far more prominent than we initially imagined.

In conclusion, the parable of the mustard seed teaches us that actual growth often begins with the smallest of actions. Just as the mustard seed grows into a towering tree, providing shelter and sustenance, your atomic habits– though seemingly insignificant- hold the power to transform your life.