Week 2 Day 5: Drawn
Question: Where are you drawn when you follow your heart?
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Transcript of Video:
When I hear the word “stop,” I can’t help but remember from my youth the Motown hit, [singing] “Stop in the Name of Love.” And I say that because the Commandment to stop is part of the Commandment to love. It’s drawn one from the other. God has called us into loving, being that that reflects who God is. God is not commanding us to love but drawing us to love, and for that we must stop. We must stop periodically. Stop to give thanks – gratitude for our very being apart from anything that we do or achieve or seek to bring about in the world, any kind of productivity – to simply rejoice in our bodies, minds, and spirits as the whole of a reflection of the image and likeness of God; that we are like none other. Each of us has our particular way of stopping, stopping to learn what is in us already of the love of God, to learn to love as God loves, to love God, to love others, and to love ourselves in whom God takes continuous delight and pleasure. Indeed God is almost saying, “I cannot be the God who I am without stopping to enjoy your love, your presence, to delight in you.”
-Br. Jonathan Maury
“Where are you drawn when you follow your heart?”
As a right-brained introvert, my heart usually takes me inward to a “place” of non-verbal imagination. It is a very real place, one I can’t adequately describe to anyone. It’s air and/or water and/or fire and/or earth enveloping me in the “ether.”
To a simpler place within myself and in my relationships with others. To family and friends, to new discover new people. To nature and restorative places. To books, to better work choices. To our home in the south where people believe in blessed days and spirituality is shared.
This a tough question. I guess i’m drawn people, sometimes solitude so I can calm myself pray and find my center. Sometimes I will become passionate because of a song, or book that I am reading. I am drawn to church, Men’s group, or ways to fellowship, pray, and devotions.
To my children and grandchildren!!
I am drawn to my Lord and my family, church family and My prayer warriors!
I am drawn to giving back to others because I feel so blessed and grateful for my life. I am drawn to my family members and cherish each moment I have with them. I am drawn to nature (animals, plants), art, music fpr they speak to me in many ways.
I am drawn to my relationship with Christ/God/Spirit and to sharing it with others and hearing about their walk.
When I follow my heart, I am drawn to love God more through what I do, say , and think. I desire to make the most of the gifts God has given me, so that I am a reflection of His image in the individual way He has made me.
Hello.This post was really motivating, particularly since I was browsing for thoughts on this subject last Thursday.
. . . memories of loved ones now deceased . . .
I’m always drawn to nature and to art… all forms of art, especially music, poetry, the visual arts, etc. My heart leads me to appreciate things in the natural world around me—the sounds of birds, shadows of clouds—nearly everything when I step out the door each morning gives me pause and pleasure. My heart is renewed by listening to a good piece of music—whether a country-western ballad, a madrigal, a folk song, or a movement from a requiem mass. And poetry… well, need I say more? If Emily D. were the only poet on earth, I’d feel blessed to read her craft with the English language. There are much too many things to mention about drawing, painting, sculpture, architecture, etc. I’ll just say… inspired… not all, but much… and appreciated. When I follow my heart, I’m also drawn to provide help. I may not be able to do much about the world’s great woes. But when and where I can, I will do what I can.
I love art and love to paint, but when I paint I feel guilty because I am supposed to be out helping the poor, etc. Not enjoying myself painting.
To learn, to reflect, to improve myself and my surrondings
When I follow my heart, I am drawn to travel and explore this beautiful world.
Oh, what a lovely question. And a solid one. It’s hard to answer at first, but I love the sitting with it. My heart. My heart in motion–where? To creatures–animals, to land, to a garden. To a friend, friends. I find true the statement that God is drawing us to love, that we are made for this love. I found this presentation really inspiring–just right on, and moving. “to learn what is in us already of the love of God, to learn to love as God loves, to love God, to love others, and to love ourselves in whom God takes continuous delight and pleasure.” I am truly drawn to the love of God, but I do lose my sense of this, lose the scent of it. This feels like homecoming.
Outside to a green space or, if I can, to some water. A beach, the ocean, a river. To take naps when I need them. I always feel like my heart is at ease when I am at the MacDowell colony, in a beautiful setting, working on a book.
To the sanctuary of partial solitude at home, in the company of my animals.
I found this question the hardest yet. Where am I drawn. After reading through the responses and thinking about it more I believe my heart pulls me to all things related to family, whether it is caring for an ill member, trying to help another discern a career path, being present to keep another company, or seeing those no longer with us are memorialized in writing of a family history. Even my holidays are centered around visiting extended family abroad who help me keep that sense of “family” that gets smaller and smaller as the years pass. So, yes…my heart is drawn to family. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to think that through and fully realize it.
Some year’s ago I attended a talk by a vicar’s wife and I remember her words to us that God made us all unique, that he knew us when we were still in the womb and his plan for us if we let him. These words have always stayed with me and I thank God daily for making me “me”. I am a heart not head person, I act impulsively and sometimes leap without looking but I trust that God knows what is best for me. I am drawn to loving, God, my husband, my sons and their wives and my gorgeous grandchildren, my friends and the world around. I am drawn to helping where I can and when I am asked and thank God constantly that I am able to do the things I do. I am drawn to try and find the positive, the good news, in very often a negative and violent world – but there is always something good to be found, I am drawn to looking for these good things.
I am drawn to reading and with all my “getting get understanding.”
I am drawn into the wonder of colour and how colour is created by the combinations of colour; an unlimited palette of natural and artificial colours; the beauty of nature and the explosion of vivid and vibrant possibility with brilliant hues.
I am drawn to Christ.
I’m drawn to life experiences that enable me to become wise & inspired; to people & socialising; helping & feeling needed; to listening to others better & letting go of the gluggy, sticky stuff that tries to get you self consumed all the time; arts & crafts & learning environments; learning to meet God in meditation & prayer; to love myself as others. I’m also drawn to unforeseen possibilities – exploring & trying things new.
It has been so long since I followed my heart….
I am drawn to peace.
I am drawn to be drawn, to let myself be pushed or pulled within the I AM of God and Man, within the changing Becoming, within the chorus, that embues each moment.
This is lovely.
If I follow my heart, I will be at the beach with my family watching my husband and children jump the waves. I feel closest to God.
Like Dorothy said in The Wizard of Oz, ‘There’s no place like home.’ That’s where I’m drawn to when I follow my heart. Home with my two boys: my fiance Andrew and our dog Sollie.
Home. The place I ffind relaxing and calming, rejuvenating and inspiring. This is sometimes my physical home and other times its a place inside that I find comfort as I am surrounded by the love I feel from God and my family.
My heart longs to be with God. And that usually looks like a couple of things. Either being alone in contemplation, usually in nature, running, hiking, or sitting quietly, sometimes reading. Or being engaged with my church or spiritual community people in a worship service, meeting, service activity, or fellowship. I feel so happy and safe when I’m in those two “places”.
I am drawn to the beauty of the world which God created for us to enjoy. When I see the sunrise, or the sunset, or the full moon, I cannot help but know that God is here with me always. And I am at peace.
Recently retired, I am still discerning where I am drawn when I follow my heart. My work was very satisfying. I am getting used to a new identity. My heart is not being drawn to the many papers and books to be sorted. That is work. My heart is not drawn to travel. That seems like work too. I think I need more time to rest and to give myself permission to be drawn by the heart. Meanwhile, I will enjoy my home, my garden, my neighborhood, some volunteering.
…certainly there is the breast to breast, stomach to stomach, and thigh to thigh but so very often it is memory, which is a peculiar connection to all of ones’ variable constituents…memory in ‘any’ location at ‘any’ time makes life habitable and eases the heaviest of all burdens…
When I first read the question, I believed that I don’t allow myself to follow my heart. But as I read through what others have said, I came to see that I am drawn to prayer when I allow myself to follow my heart.
I am drawn to help others.
I’m drawn to peace and quite, my relationship with God, water, and helping others, particularly Seniors.
I am being drawn into the Gods’ Love. I see Gods’ Love in the mountains, forest, rivers, creeks and streams, the deer grazing on the meadow. All things are alive and full of Gods’ Love.
I followed my heart at age 65 to be with the man I love. My heart is breaking as his mental decline continues and yet our love is still strong! and true!
Part of the challenge of this series is the realization that the deepest longings of the heart are buried under that to do list which never seems to end, occluded by the oughts, shoulds and musts of the Pharaoh of the day, and eclipsed by the numbing /avoidant behaviors that falsely ease the burden of time’s tyranny. When I can push that all aside I suspect my heart is drawn to strengthening relational ties, deeper intentional listening to God, contemplation of nature and her bounty , and exploration both literal and creative be it traveling, writing, study or decorative furniture painting!
Beautifully said. Thank you.
This is so really true!
My first thought was that I am drawn to solitude and the quiet. In that, I come back to the present moment…I see/hear the world around me – the buds on the trees, the birds in the morning. I am filled with gratitude & peace. Conversely, I am drawn to my grandsons who bring me such joy. They are noisy & busy and filled with life. My heart almost bursts. Most significantly, when I stop I am reminded of God or God’s heart. I don’t really ever forget, but it’s good to focus on it.
I am drawn to the sea in solitude and to sacred music in prayer
and to the suffering of others.
When I follow my heart, I am drawn to beauty, to things interesting, such as old architecture. To quiet. To nature.
When I follow my heart, I, like others, am drawn to music – both listening and singing – to nature, to reconnect with old friends – sometimes going back to the connections of childhood – and to visit, or phone, or write friends in need. I am also drawn to corporate worship, as well as to a time of quiet on my own with God. And, while my children are at some distance, I love connecting with them by phone, or email. Family and friends have become increasingly important as I get older!
In Nature I relax & listen-just listen & enjoy even if only a reprieve.
Like Maria, I am drawn to water, especially brooks and rapid streams, a place of contemplation and prayer.
Yes, rapid streams….waterfalls. I’m so looking forward to going to Yosemite this spring to experience the power and energy of the falls pouring forth.
I am drawn to spirituality,interesting people, creative activities, children, music, writing, beauty in art and nature, nurturing shut ins. God’s world is full of so much more to be grateful for and to be involved in.
I am drawn to my adopted home, Cambodia. I’m part of a child ministry and that’s where my heart is. If I’m here in the States, I look at photos, connect with friends via Facebook or work on a project.
I am drawn to water—whether it’s a humble rambling creek or the expansive Pacific Ocean. And as equally I am drawn to connect with my heart to another person’s heart. When I am able to do this I feel grounded and serene. All shall be well.
When I follow my heart, I am drawn to spend time with my daughter, playing or making things. I am drawn to write creatively, to cook, sometimes to sing, perform or direct. And, thank God, with increasing frequency I’m drawn to worship and to serve in my church community.
When I follow my heart, I am aware that my attention is becoming focused in the here and now on a particular word, person, thought, sight, sound or feeling.
I’m drawn to God as he is manifest in all things – my loving husband, my faithful dog, the beauty of a glorious dawn, the laughter of a gorgeous blue sky, the joy of evening dusk. And I realize that (except the husband and dog!) its the colors that lift my spirit so much. (Which explains my difficulty with the dull white of so much old snow!)
Stop in the name of Love draws me to my prayer corner – light a candle, listen to music, read, meditate, prayer. Stop in the name of Love draws me to my husband and my grandchild. Stop in the name of Love draws me to particular people here at work who are working through problems and difficulties.
I’m drawn to being alone with God. My days are filled with the joy of being with other people. I really love people. I am a teacher. But, when I feel that call to be still, I have to find a place that I can fulfill that need to go “one-on-one” with the Lord. When we built our house, I wrote the words from Joshua 24:15, “As for me and my house we shall serve the Lord” in my closet. I can go there and focus on Him and Him alone.
I am drawn to silence.
I am drawn to wherever my heart senses it can experience light and good energy. That place may involve certain people, or my writing, or something of inexplicable beauty. Today “Writer’s Almanac,” for example, mentions Grand Canyon National Park with a description of its majesty by Teddy Roosevelt. I’ve never been to the Grand Canyon but Roosevelt’s awe of it makes me feel drawn to go there. Can I make the time to do it? Perhaps I should make the effort.
I become gentle. I am more aware. I want to help others. I accept others and sometimes myself.
Drawn to dearest family. Partner, children, grandchildren, cousins.
I am drawn outside when I follow my heart. During any given day, stepping outside to feel the warm sun, check on the plants, watch new growth … it all feels like a guilty pleasure.
My heart is drawn to loving my family; my parents, sister, children, nephew and even my ex. husband.
I am also drawn, as someone else mentioned, to make music for people in order to minister to them.
When I follow my heart I am drawn to be with my children and my grandchildren. I live a good, busy life, but I’m always a little startled at how joyous I feel when we are together. They’re all adults doing worthwhile work and study, and I miss them a lot. Fortunately they’re just a couple of hours away.
I am drawn to spending time with my family , helping them and making things for them. I thank God daily for this love that I feel for them and Him and for the energy and inclination that I have to help them. I also love to connect with nature with a daily walk and observe the changing seasons , wildlife and seeing others do likewise.I express my loce for God in my hobbies like painting , sketching and writing in my journal.
Being 74 and a volunteer chaplain for 20 homeless men who are in a respite center, where they are recovering from an illness, an operation, or gaining strength to have an operation, I am drawn to stop and listen to what they have to say. My prayer is to stop and listen to the person I am greeting with two ears and one small mouth. I was trained to be a non-anxious presence. I find that when I pray, ‘What can I learn from the man I am listening to?’ I find
myself loving these men.
I am drawn to people who are considered “down” and “needy” to learn about how God is so present in these wonderful people.
I am learning to stop, ever so slowly. Thank you my Creator!
Spending time with my family, giving small gifts without it’s being a special occasion, cooking and baking, enjoying the view of the mountains.
I am drawn to helping others…to be a listening presence for others.
I find myself drawn to the beauty of nature…nothing is more healing/peaceful than a walk outdoors, whether in freshly-fallen snow, a grassy lawn, or a beach at sunrise. Stopping takes me outside of myself and draws me to things that are reminders of God at work before the worlds were made.
I’m drawn to my family–daughter, son in law and grandsons and to my brothers–to spend time with them, to be thankful that they are in my life.
I’m drawn to my friends–who help me stop being immersed in work–to have fun, real conversations, and I’m grateful they are in my life.
I’m drawn to a special man in my life–to talk, to make love, to exchange funny text messages–and I’m grateful he is in my life.
I’m also drawn to social justice issues–I don’t know if I make any difference, but I feel called to try to lessen the amount of suffering in the world, especially in terms of poverty, sexism, racism. I’m grateful that I have the privilege that enables me to do this without much blowback from those in power.
I am drawn to be for others what they need from me, rather than try to get from them what I think I need. When I am present for others in an accepting and loving way, I feel God within me. I am coming from a place of plenty rather than lack. It fills my soul.
The reinsurance that God is the mix and not my own decision.
I am drawn to God, and I am so grateful that I am. The circumstances of my life have shown me (without a doubt) that He is forever calling me to Him. I do not always heed the call 🙂 but it is there. I am drawn to animals. I see them as such lovely creations of God…way up there on the list of His finest work. In the animal kingdom my first love is dogs. From childhood my heart (God) has drawn me to them. I’ve been involved in dog rescue work for some years now and I think this is where God calls me to be.
I am drawn to being with others thru chaplaincy, and being with the dying and the families of the dead. I’m not doing that full time right now – but I should be.
I’m also drawn to play and sing music. I am trained in this and have gotten away from it. But I am drawn to it and need to do it again.
Cause see, that’s the thing, that to what we are drawn isn’t necessarily where we feel we can make a living. And therein lies the rub
when I stop I find myself drawn to the things of beauty around me, the ocean, trees, flowers, grandchildren. all these God’s miracles and bring peace to me.
When I follow my heart, I shed the trappings of all the accoutrements that bind me from loving God fully. I can then serve others and others simultaneously.
I am drawn to my kids. I am drawn to spending time outside in God’s creation.
Out of gratitude to God I am drawn to be generous to others.
Drawn to follow my heart ? “Taking a CHANCE on Love..” Open to Joy and Pain ….. Trusting in God’s LOVE …
God, my wife, poetry, music, the city – I am drawn out of myself but I follow willingly. I recall a couple of lines of poetry that my beloved mother used to recite: ‘What is this life if, full of care/ We have no time to stop and stare?” Being drawn out of myself is a way of re-aligning myself.
I write to hear my heart’s voice – to see what God is trying say to me. I write to feel the rhythm of an unseen world
Drawn to loving embrace, understanding, hope. I need that this morning.
To my family. And to serve others. I am drawn to be a positive beacon to those around me. Unfortunately, sometimes I let others’ negative behaviors and attitudes toward life and our career choice (teaching) effect my positivity.
I’m drawn outside to walk, row, dig or sit in this incredibly beautiful world and out of that, refreshed, I am drawn to be with family, friends and strangers to share in being part of God’s creation and vast Love for us all..
To my family. . .husband, parents, brother, daughters. To helping others.
I am drawn to music, nature, peaceful times, retreats. This feels selfish but I spend so much time taking care of others, that when I think about where I am drawn if I follow my heart, it is to take care of myself – my heart, mind, body and soul.
Yes, I so understand. So much time is spent taking care of others, but when it comes to taking care of myself, it seems like selfishness. I need to force myself to encounter self in music, nature, solitude, but when I do it is so healing.
I have a carved plaque with the words “Be Still and Know I AM”. I took the MBSR (Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction) coursework about five years ago. I am daily drawn to focus on the plaque and meditate with Awareness of Breathing.
I am drawn to walk outdoors, to read and lose myself in a book, to connect with someone in conversation. These things happen most days of my life, thankfully.
Solitude….music….creation..
But at other times to be with people, and to share things of the heart.
To experience these meditations in the company of others changes and deepens them, adds greatly to the meaning and draws out thoughts that otherwise wouldn’t appear.
I am drawn to healing, to creation in various artistic forms, to nature, animals, plants, rocks, and soil, and to building something new. I am also drawn to the peace of stillness when I can meet God and feel my heart restored.
When I’m drawn to follow my heart I am pulled to helping people, to being with those I love.
Brother Jonathan struck home with his words. My first thought was that I’m drawn to medicine. As I read on, I realized I am now drawn also to a deeper commitment to others by discovering the depth and breadth….and beauty of God’s love. It is limitless.
In relationships, I am drawn to people who have an energy that comes from their faith. By myself, I’m in awe of God’s beautiful kingdom through photography, music, art and writing. In stillness, I am drawn to prayer.
Like you, I love to capture God at work through the lens of my camera. Sometimes I take deliberate pictures….I am looking for that “Pulitzer Prize” winner. Other times, I just shoot randomly waiting for God to show me the picture HE wanted me to see. Of course, the latter are the most meaningful. Still waiting on that “Pulitzer Picture.” 🙂
When I am resting I am drawn to the beauty of nature, especially song birds in my back yard. I am drawn to the richness of God’s word. When I am working I am drawn to challenges and controversies. I am drawn to those areas where there is injustice and where truth impacts choices. I’ve worked at a crisis pregnancy clinic, a health department and now a hospital. I’m drawn to care for the vulnerable.
The first thing that came to my mind when I read this question is my horn, music. I love playing, yet I have not done so now for over 14 years. I used to play professionally, but circumstances took me away from that. I could easily start playing at home, but don’t make the time. Hmm…
I am drawn to serve others, who are reflections of God’s love for us all. Sometimes I am drawn through nature, other times through prayer. But however I am drawn, once there I feel truly alive in God’s kingdom. I only wish I could stop and feel this “drawing” more often, for the world infringes on my call to love.
To my family – my grown children, my brothers and their families, my cousins, my closest friends who feel like family. Deep down, it all brings me closer to my parents (who I miss very much).
When I follow my heart (doing something) I’m drawn to play music, photography, the arts in general. When I’m still, I can let myself be drawn to God and my relationship with Jesus.
When I follow my heart, I am drawn to try and make what difference I can in the world for good — to witness for peace, against injustice and cruelty. I do this by preaching, writing, getting involved in political action.
“Stop and smell the roses”, though a cliche, is a call to us to get off the rat race we are in to become mindful of beautiful things around us. Well, let us stop and become mindful of who we are as beings created lovingly by God. Let us appreciate the innate beauty and uniqueness with which each of one us is created into a being. Today’s meditation made me think of my self awareness and how little I thank God for myself and my life.
WHENi stop to follow my heart, I am drawn to do one thing at a time that really matters. When I don’t stop, i don’t follow my heart and amidst all the chatter I just do stuff without necessarily hitting the mark. Being intentional is much more rewarding. Thanks for today’s meditation.
Drawn…when I follow my heart, I am drawn, oddly, to the pipe organ music when the organist is rehearsing on Sunday mornings. The sounds point to the transcendence of God that rises above all else. Being in that moment, I am then drawn with strength to those around me as the church life of the day begins. Yes, I am a church nerd!
I am drawn to make music to minister to the souls of others.
I am drawn to nature–The earth, the trees, the mountains, the sky, the oceans, the fruits and vegetable that grow from the earth.
Bodies, minds and spirits. That’s the challenge in the drawn by my heart ask for today. Mostly, the draw is to aid where my gifts can be of benefit, to console or explain, but my heart and body are also drawn to the expression of sexual love too. All these are honest. I can follow each draw in its own time.
I hope I am always drawn to the throne of grace….
the north end of Vancouver Island where my brothers live. where there is lots of wood to visit and carve.