Have you ever acknowledged the benevolence of divine providence? For some people this is a shorthand reference for God. This is true, because I make the sun to shine and the rain to fall on the just and on the unjust. I provide blessings for everyone. Yet this term implies a distance and lack of intimacy. You get the blessings of divine providence automatically, but I said this is life eternal, that you may know the one true God, that you may know as you are known. This is more direct and intentional, and can only be done by direct contact, not from afar. This is the relationship of life I offer you. 

Do you understand what is involved in being a good host? You extend courtesy to those who come to see you, anticipating their needs and making them feel at home. Are you willing to apply this principle to yourself? For I said that my kingdom is within you and you accept it as a matter of basic theology that I dwell within you. I also describe your body as my temple. So do you see yourself as being a host to me? Can you apply the same principles of hosting a guest in your home to hosting my presence dwelling within you? If you extend the same courtesy, attention and respect I will feel at home within you. 

What do you think is the greatest problem facing society? Most people will respond with something political, economic, or environmental, but these are more visible manifestations of problems with deeper roots. The underlying problems are spiritual. They arise from alienation. Believers may think of this as alienation from God, and this is true, but in a more general sense people are alienated from their own true identity and being, and this can occur without their awareness of it. You won’t solve this problem with political or economic means. If everyone had a heart transformation, how many visible problems would remain?

Do you like road trips? They can be monotonous miles or adventures depending on where you are going and what happens on the way. My word describes some notable road trips including the road to Damascus and the road to Emmaus. The travelers had a destination in mind but had some unexpected adventures along the way. These turned out to be more important than the places they were going. Are you so fixed on your destination that you miss the opportunities that present themselves in the moment? Even if you have goals and work toward them your life is lived in the present moment which is the only time you can respond to opportunities you encounter.