Consider Your Possibilities

“I can do all things through God which strengthens me.”

Philippians 4:13

Notes for Contemplation as You Use this Devotional:

• This passage of encouragement reminds you that God (Higher Power, Supreme Being, Divine Life Energy, or whatever name you use) is the source of your inner strength and wisdom. This means that you don’t have to do anything on your own because God is your support and sustenance. So, rather than look outside yourself for assurance or resources first, you can look within.
• For the Apostle Paul, this statement isn’t vanity, but a true knowing of and confidence in his singular fortitude and understanding. They help him—and you—withstand challenges, persevere, and courageously leap into transformation. Furthermore, your inner strength and wisdom guide you as you grow spiritually and follow whatever protocols are appropriate for your physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing.
• Richard and Mary-Alice Jafolla, authors of The Quest: A Journey of Spiritual Rediscovery, first published in 1993, teach that your journey of spiritual maturity begins when you hear a call or feel a nudge to go beyond where you’ve been. This is your soul’s longing for greater spiritual evolution. They call this place “`Possibility Junction’—the junction of where you were and where you could be.”
• Your consciousness (mindset) on this journey matters, too. Scholars Robert Jahn and Brenda Dunne, who led Princeton University’s Engineering Anomalies Research Laboratory and studied the influence of the mind on physical reality, discovered that attitude determines how positive and committed a person can be to transformation. You have to be open to new possibilities to progress through the junction and onto a new path.  If you’re willing to release your fears and preconceived notions, then your receptivity allows you to see beyond limitations.
• Demonstration is the evidence you can see of what does or doesn’t work in your life. You demonstrate your inner strength by acknowledging previous errors and shortcomings, and looking before you leap into the next endeavor, project, relationship, etc. You pause at Possibility Junction to listen to your own still, small voice before you proceed, trusting your intuition without having every intellectual answer or minute detail yet revealed.

Contemplation Questions:

As you reflect on your life and circumstances, ask yourself:

• What are all the possibilities before me?
  • List, word map, or illustrate all you see.

• Of all these possibilities, which appear to be
  • positive?
    • List, word map, or illustrate the positive.
  • negative?
    • List, word map, or illustrate the negative.

• Of all these possibilities, which are a detour (distraction) from where my intuition is guiding me?
  • List, word map, or illustrate the detours.

• Of all these possibilities, which are
  • truly mine?
    • List, word map, or illustrate what’s yours.
  • someone else’s
    • List, word map, or illustrate what’s others’.

• When I contemplate all the possibilities, which resonate most with my soul?
  • List, word map, or illustrate what resonates most.

Many possibilities can look attractive, but like a hero’s quest, they can include quicksand, firestorms, and dragons.  So, use this devotional whenever you find yourself at a crossroad or want to contemplate available opportunities.

Take time first to get grounded in your favorite meditation place.  Tune into your body and breathe.  Be quiet and listen.  As much as you can, avoid asking how things will happen and focus on what’s in front of you.  That way you can consider all your possibilities and discern which path is yours to travel now.

© 2024 – Rev. Jennifer L. Sacks – All rights reserved.

Photo from Shutterstock by Aerial-motion.