I am not sure about you but I was not taught at church that I was free to choose how to view life. Church usually taught (explicitly or implicitly) that I had to see things God’s way, meaning that I had to be judgemental of life and abide by a partial quote of “be ye perfect as God is perfect”. (Matthew 5:48)
That verse however is actually intended to invite us to see things from a different point of view. To better understand God’s plan. This invitation allows us to be fully involved in how we see things. We get to choose to see God at work in others, ourselves, and the world. We can choose to see things God’s way or our own way. It is not a command it is an invitation.
So, in this current world of ours, with so much going on that is frightening and seems so bad, how do you want to see things? You can see all the bad and feel lost and overwhelmed. You can see the world and say it is God’s plan even if I don’t understand it. Or you can look at this world and see that there are good things and good people all around if you but notice.
So, choose. I make the choice to seek the goodness in each thing, person, and experience. I want to be as St. Francis was and find God everywhere. Can you make that choice? To find the living God everywhere? You might find hope for this new year.
TMM