Be present and pray - be still and know

Instead of going back to my initial ESP training, this post deals with these current happenings in my life and how they relate to the energy synchronization process.

Wind is blowing

What a whirlwind it’s been for the past couple of weeks! I have had the opportunity to exchange thoughts on spirituality and God's energy with some of my friends who come from very versatile backgrounds, and sign up to become an NCD coach. At the same time, I have been praying for my parents because my father has been dealing with some severe health issues. These experiences have been so overwhelming that I need to process them with this method I have chosen to process my learning and growth - by blogging about it. Here we go!

Be present and pray - be still and know

Understanding God’s energy as the unique prompting and empowerment in me by God was the goal of the Energy Synchronization process training. (Apostle Paul talks about this energization in Ephesians 3:7 and Colossians 1:29.) Each of us have a unique presence to fulfill in God’s plan, and He has given us the energy and the means to do it. When we are in sync with our energy and use it according to God’s plan, i.e. according to His Word, we will see how His yoke is easy and burden is light (Matthew 11:30).

Since the Energy Synchronization process started, I have been more attuned to the presence of God in me. I did know that the Holy Spirit lives in me since I am baptized and believe in Jesus. But after being acquainted with the energy concept, I have learned to understand how God’s presence in me feels. Being able to see my feelings as a part of my energy system - providing guidance on what God has energized me for - hasn’t only provided direction to my life but also practical help for dealing with negative everyday events.

For example, I now pay attention to the uneasiness I feel when I think about my mom and dad. When I feel uneasy, I know I need to pray (Philippians 4:6). And understanding that God is present in me – through His Word in my mind, His Spirit in my heart, and His energy in my body – I’m more ready to pray than I was before. 

This Monday I was feeling uneasy, and my husband encouraged me to take time to pray (just this Sunday our Elder Bob from church pointed out that Martin Luther encouraged us to pray 3h in the morning if you’re going to have a busy day with a lot of work…). For the first time ever, I dedicated about an hour for prayer. I took the time to do the prayer work for my parents and me, and be with God in His presence. I cried a lot and I prayed. 

The rest of the Monday I felt empty, in a good way. I was grounded to the present moment and able to carry out all my practical as well as thinking work that I had for the day. God gave me peace and energized me for the things I needed to do. I wasn’t excited, happy, or joyful but I was calm and did not worry about my parents. I even enjoyed my coffee and chats with family members and friends. What an amazing experience of God’s presence!

Learning about spiritual styles with a friend

In my previous post I explained how excited I felt when I got to experience cross-cultural learning, and people enjoying their community in my daughter’s school. These processes are happening now in my own life. I started learning about different spiritual styles with a good friend of mine. 

Spiritual style is the specific means with which God energizes a person. For example, my spiritual style is rational, sensory, and Scripture-driven. That means I get energized when I learn more about God through studying, experiences with His creation, and applying His Word in my life. 

The friend I’m studying the different styles with, has pretty much the opposite style to mine (thus the reference to cross-cultural). For them, God’s energization happens through mystical experiences, seeing the works of the Holy Spirit, and through sharing their faith with others. I don’t know much about what those things mean in practice but I’m eager to learn. What does living in faith look like from a different point of view?

Coaching according to God's principles

Perhaps the most exciting news I have at this time is that I will be training to become a Natural Church/Community/Character Development coach! The 2-day training will take place in March in Florida, and after that I’m certified to work as an NCD coach. The director of NCD America recommended to start with my own congregation to learn and gather experience, and then later move on to provide coaching services to other churches or people. I don’t know if that is my path but I will certainly start with my own church and apply my learnings wherever possible. 

The NCD is a paradigm to church life where universal principles of church/character/community development are applied to help a church, a person or a community grow. The approach is based on the Biblical concept of ‘all by itself’ growth:

“What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, as the Lord assigned to each. I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. He who plants and he who waters are one, and each will receive his wages according to his labor. For we are God's fellow workers. You are God's field, God's building.” (1 Corinthians 3:5-9)

Through scientific research of God’s creation, i.e. the churches worldwide, NCD has identified Biblical and universal growth forces and characteristics of high quality churches. Therefore, the approach is not based on solely the Scripture or solely on scientific research of the creation but a careful Biblical analysis of practical research results - with conclusions that are actionable. My academic background is in social sciences, and as a Christian this sort of approach to individual and community growth is highly appealing. Being able to identify God’s growth principles and work in accordance with them to empower (or should I say energize) people and groups – this is what I have always wanted to learn and practice. And now I have the opportunity to!

Growing in Light

I’m so grateful that through the Energy Synchronization process, God has energized me to pursue the life path that I have always had ahead of me. I might not be an NCD coach for the rest of my life – if ever - but I will always hold God’s principles to personal and community development in my heart. And I trust that He will finish the good work that He has started in me. “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” (Ephesians 1:6)

Trust the mountain.

Grow in the Light.

Enjoy the harmony.

(My motto goal from ESP)

Cascades on the way home to Duvall