The Story of Good – Learning to Steward the Good Within.

God created human beings; He created them godlike, reflecting God’s nature. He created them male and female. God blessed them: “Prosper! Reproduce! Fill Earth! Take charge! Be responsible for fish in the sea and birds in the air, for every living thing that moves on the face of Earth.” ~ Genesis 1: 27-28 (TM)

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“Spirit, please continue,” I asked.

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“As God’s Fire breathes His Life into you,

Placing the Gift of God-Dependency deep within,

A second blessing quickly follows.”

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“Because God so loves you,

Receive the Gift of Self-Existence.”

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“Self-Existence allows you,

The freedom to ponder the meaning of life.

It offers you opportunities to ask your own questions,

Explore the depths of the universe,

Weave stories that excite your imagination.”

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“Self-Existence allows you to see, hear, taste, smell, and touch.

It allows you the freedom to choose what you want to wear,

Decide where you will live.

Ponder over the foods you will enjoy.

Pick the songs you will sing.

Select what friends you will have.

Discern which voices you will listen to.”

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“Yet, the highest blessing associated with this gift,

Is the distinguishing mark of individual identity – a name.”

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“A name designates uniqueness of purpose.

An individual hope and a future.

A destiny of great value, a place of belonging.”

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“All this comes with your Gift of Self-Existence,

When God calls you by name.”

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“But, remember, child,

This gift of Good that flows from God’s hand,

Given for your enjoyment and fulfillment of life,

Must also be used with great care and discernment.

For with this blessing of a name, comes your freedom of self-will.”

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“Self-will, you see, is the ability to choose for yourself,

Life decisions that will shape your very existence.”

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“Unlocking the secrets of the atom brings scientific breakthroughs,

But it can also usher in worldwide destruction.

So, it is with the Gift of Self-Existence.”

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“This gift offers you the hope of long-lasting promises,

And the pain of enduring consequences.”

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Ponder on these things:

Does the idea of being free excite you? If so, what feelings are evoked when you are free to be who you really are?

In what ways have your recently utilized your gift of freedom?

Reflect upon the last time you allowed yourself to be completely free with your imagination.

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Over a period of about eight weeks (3 sessions per week), we will take you on a poetic journey (26-sessions) we call The Story of Good. We suggest you bookmark our blog series homepage to keep all the writings in one place for your future reference. Take note that each blog session begins with a short scripture reading. My suggestion is that you don’t hurry through, or skip the text, but treat it as a Lectio Divina reading where you slow down and sit a bit with God’s Word, allowing it to penetrate and influence you as you read. Each session also ends with a few thoughts to ponder on. I look forward to hearing some of your insight as we journey together!

Oh, and if you enjoy what you’re reading here, we encourage you to share this page and our website, The Contemplative Activist, with your friends! 

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