Silent Time

Do you have to take decisions? For example a young person may need to decide which education to pursue, where to work, etc. Or in any age, to decide on what is the best way to spend the rare free time. There are some big and many small decisions that we have to take, which all impact our future. What can help us to find the right way, to take wise decisions that turn out well in the future?

Do you feel at times poor and helpless?

Stupidity – whom would you call stupid? Some animals show behaviour, which we cannot understand, hurting oneself or others. For example sheep might behave unreasonably such as jumping into the same hole repeatedly from where it cannot free itself. All the more important it is to have a good shepherd. Also some among people show behaviour which we cannot understand, hurting oneself or others. And s...

Do worries help? Usually they do not improve life’s circumstances; in fact worries might lead to further problems. It is better to focus on those things which can be done. And to put into God’s hands, what we cannot influence.

Are you a joyful person? Many people have lost their joy, deep down in their heart, there is no peace. Many matters only give us a few moments of happiness, which vanishes soon. What brings us real lasting joy?

Called from darkness to light

Who is righteous?

What comes to your mind with regard to obedience? We may not like it and spontaneously have negative associations. But let’s think about it more deeply.

Against whom do you bear a grudge in your heart? As humans we easily nurse hatred against others. But that easily ends up in a vicious cycle of revenge and bitterness. God offers to set us free of all that.

Do you tend to categorize people?

Care. And the birds in the air. For whom do you care?

Have you ever been in the situation of having 2 bosses? One might expect you to go left, the other one might request you to go right. Whom do you follow?

The hidden hopes – what do you long for, possibly without anyone knowing about it? We may look forward to an end of persecution. We may desire times of rest and sufficient sleep. We may long for an end of pain and in many other regards may hope for better times. God knows everything, also our sighing and hidden hopes.

Shall we give advantages, preference and special concessions to those who are disadvantaged? Or shall we favour those, who are great? To the successful? Shall we give amenities, privilege and special treatment to anyone?

Who is trustworthy?

The foundation to build upon.

We may know it from cartoons or trick-movies: against the attacks of the evil enemy, the superhero sets up a wall of fire that defends and protects. Do you also look for such a wall of fire?

In crowded places, a person easily can get lost. Then we need to find him or her.

Do you seek life in its fullness? Have you found life with a fulfilling purpose?

How precious? Which value do you assign?

Chains of love.

Different kinds of inheritance.

What happened to the spices?

How do small children handle challenges? – In many regards e.g. newborns are helpless, they depend on the parents and fully rely on them. How do we as grown-ups handle the challenges of the world? Such as the challenges imposed by artificial intelligence, by robot soldiers, by all the evil going on in the world? In many regards we are helpless; and blessed is the person who accepts the dependence...

What comes to your mind with regard to departures? Often there is sadness involved when having to say good-bye to each other. But when considering the full picture, some departures can even be filled with joy.