Advent Dec. 1, 2022
Faithful Presence
How is faithfulness showing up in your life?
Full Lectionary Reading here Heb 11:32-12:2
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, (click here to read the whole passage to get a glimpse of these people!) let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God.
Have you had moments when you couldn’t choke out the word faithfulness, let alone see it in people (or God?) We have. Scary diagnosis, the death of a child, a violent crime, small and large betrayals, lies about us, stalking, our own flaws, failures, fatalism (more on that another day 🙄) and the normal stuff like a hard job, time pressures, making the bills, etc… yep, we need Christ and the cloud of faithful witnesses, too!
Christ is the embodiment of the word faithful, leading the way with life, death, and resurrection. The great cloud of witnesses set an example for us to stay faithful to Christ through Hell and high water! Past pain and fear of the future can be a great weight and keep us weak in faith and weighted down. Courage to practice becoming part of the great cloud of warriors is a game changer!
YOU and the greats are made to reflect the image of God. When you’re awake and practicing presence, you are faithful, courageous, and reflect God. When we’re groggy and don’t show up for practice, we play God and are led in the way never-lasting
How is the Presence of “Faithfulness” showing up in your life? How are you doing with faithfulness?
Practice the Presence of Faithfulness
- Confess fear and ask for faith
- Let go of the fear that you don’t have enough.
- Accept insecurity as part of life.
- Recognize that flight, fight, fawn, and freeze are reactions to fear, acknowledge them and develop new strategies. Read Spiritual Rhythms for the Enneagram.
- Breath Prayers, returning prayer to quiet the mind.
- Nightly Examen Motions of the Soul, Clare Loughrige 2012
Faithfulness is in the driver’s seat for Enneagram personality style SIX. Watch a vlog from my 2020 Advent guest, Erica Vinson Enneagram Style 6/3/9
Did you know that when Enneagram-Style Sixes are healthy they reflect Chrsit and the Cloud of Faithful wtnesses! (If you are new to the Enneagram, you can learn more here.)
Those dominant in Enna-Style SIX embody the faithfulness of God. SIXES, when they are living led by the Holy Spirit personify reliable, hardworking achievements with an inspiring and non-anxious presence. Integrating SIXES can let go of the need for control and accept what is, letting the work of reconciliation calm their HEAD in confrontation and temptation. Sacred trust creates a way for belonging alongside those who have dissimilar views.
Practice the presence of Faithfulness.
Giving thanks for the faithfulness of Christ, over and over…
Clare
SOURCES AND RESOURCES
Connect with Erica Vinson
NEW EVERY MORNING at Crossroads with the Marks Fam
Erica’s song! Over and Over
Scott and Clare’s Enneagram books here Enneagram Personality Styles, Motions of the Soul,and Spiritual rhythms for the Enneagram.
BECOME A CERTIFIED ENENAGRAM PRACTITIONER International’s Enneagram Association Accredited Training with Rev. Clare Loughrige