Monday, April 19

As he walked along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”
—John 9:12

We seem to always want a reason for things. When something positive happens in life, we cast about looking for what created such grace so that we can somehow duplicate it in the future. When something is destructive or debilitating, we scour the crannies of our soul to find who or what is to blame, hoping to alter or avoid it down the road.

While searching for reasons is a natural response for us, it has an underside that shouldn’t be dismissed. Requiring reasons keeps us from fully entering the situation and discovering the grace and learning it can contribute to our living fully.

When we are too eager to look beyond our circumstances, whether they be positive or negative, we cease to live in the moment. We cease to keep our senses poised for the movement of the Holy One that is so ready to be recognized, grasped, and claimed in love. While reasons for circumstances may make us feel we’ve gotten answers for our mental quandaries, staying mindful of the here and now can help still our soul.

And it’s the stillness we really crave. When we find our souls steeped in stillness, we notice a new breath, hear a soft whisper, detect a gentle tingle, are aware of a new scent, and are surprised to find that we have waltzed right into the Holy One’s presence. And oh, that moment is not to be missed.

Gracious God, let the moment be enough for me to dance with you.

These Signposts originally appeared on explorefaith in 2008.