“It is the aim of my prayers that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you a spirit of wisdom, the spirit that brings you a new Revelation, as you come to know Him more and more fully” (Ephesians 1:16)
The definition of a doctor who is actively at work as a healer is termed a “practicing” physician. Practicing, as opposed to “retired.” We could borrow the term for all Christians. None of us is ever retired, not even after death. The church fathers never cease reminding us that the wisdom of God is never complete in us, because by nature God is who God is, and we are who we are. As we grow in understanding the ways of God’s love for us, we never exhaust the revelation. We learn by epiphanies—when our prayers are heard—when the sick person we gave up for dead is healed, the position or job we yearned for is granted, or the grace of peace after a soul-shaking trauma comes to us as a spiritual gift. In such realizations of God’s power, we are given a peek into the love of the Lord; but like Elijah who sneaked a quick glance hiding in the crack of a rock, we catch only a fleeting glimpse at the passing of the Lord. [I Kings 19:21]
St. Paul said “a new Revelation” is granted through the grace of the Holy Spirit. We learn even by sorrow or disappointment that the God of love heals the wounds of minds and souls the way He makes our skin or inner organs return to normalcy after a wound or illness. Despondence is not forever or need not be unless we will ourselves to be miserable.
The Revelation he speaks of is not found at the last pages of the New Testament. If we open the eyes of our heart, we may experience life as a series of revelations—the life and acts of the Holy Spirit in the lives of others. The kindness that comes our way we discover after the profound mystery of our Lord Jesus Christ, because He not only left the world to return to His place in His Father’s kingdom, but He fulfilled His promise that we would not be alone and without Him. In some miraculous manner He is present in the hearts of those who open their own hearts to receive Him, to all who hear with an inner ear His knocking at the door of their hearts, and who open to let Him in. They become as powerful as the apostles in the days of Christ’s life after Resurrection Day. But it takes eyes to see and ears to hear, as He said. [Matthew 11:15]
There are manifold ways to practice Christian faith: The obvious total life commitment as monks, nuns or clergy—24/7 commitment—is one way, but clearly not the only way. The term “laity” means “people of God” [laos tou theou]. That’s the category of most of us. It’s the life of a serious, committed Orthodox Christian. This is who you are. You can make your life a mission to seek, teach and save others. You may stay where you are, but pour yourself into the parish, deanery, or diocesan activities. As a young person, practice expressing your convictions among your peers, in your schools, and activities. If you are housebound, believe so much in the healing power of prayer that you make a constant habit of praying by name all whom you know about who are lonely, suffering, mourning or despondent. Get into the habit of practicing your love commitment, because even when your body is tired and retired, you will be called on to practice praising and singing the glory of the Lord for all eternity.