Last week, we looked at how restlessness is God’s wake-up call for us.  This week, let’s look at one of the possible causes of our restlessness–God’s  pursuit of a relationship with us.  

God’s Pursuit of Us:  

The gnawing sensation we feel within us might be God getting our attention about spending time with God.  This type of restlessness might show up when:

• We are starting our relationship with God for the first time.  
• We are re-beginning a relationship with God after being away from it for awhile
• We are being drawn into a deeper level of relationship with God

I most often hear the cause of this type of restlessness named as “something feels missing from my life” or “I am looking for more”.  I literally grin when I hear people name this type of restlessness because I am profoundly witnessing God’s pursuit of them.  I even chuckle sometimes and say, “That’s God coming after you!”  

It’s like the parable of the lost sheep.  The one lost sheep matters to God.  When we are lost or away from God, God pursues us and rejoices when we are found.

The something missing in our lives is often not a “what” but a who.  The search for the more is not a new task list item or an added responsibility but a relationship with God.  The Holy Spirit moves within us and raises desires in our heart to fulfill the longings within us for a relationship that feels all things, that offers unconditional love, and that provides meaning to our lives.  

What do we do?  

When we feel this type of restlessness, we can check our spiritual pulse and ask:

• Do I have a relationship with God? Is God inviting me into a relationship?  
• How is my relationship with God? Is God inviting me to come home?  
• How might God inviting me to grow deeper in our relationship?

This week, pause and check in on any restlessness you might feel.  Is the cause of your restlessness God’s pursuit of you?  

Next week, we’ll look at another possible cause of our restlessness.  

Go  Deeper?

• Pray:
  •  1 Kings 3: 7-9// Give your servant a listening heart
  • Psalm 139//
  • Lk 15: 1-7//Parable of the Lost Sheep
• Read:
  • Catechism of the Catholic Church #27
  • Catechism of the Catholic Church #30
•  Listen:
  • Here’s My Heart Lord– A song to help us offer our heart to God just as we are.

Cultivating Space for God Together

• • November 13, 2017:    Jen Fulwiler Radio Show
  • November 16, 2017:    Women in Spirit, St. Joseph’s Cathedral
  • November 29, 2017:   Loyola Institute for Ministry Webinar
  • December 8, 2017:      St. Scholastic Morning of Reflection for Parents
  • December 12, 2017:      Advent Evening of Reflection, St. Thomas More Parish
  • December 13, 2017:    Women’s Advent Evening of Reflection
  • December 17, 2017:    “Spirituality for a Busy Person“, St. Margaret Parish, Albany, LA

Becky Eldredge

Becky is an Ignatian-trained spiritual director, retreat facilitator, and writer. She is the author of the Busy Lives and Restless Souls (March 2017, Loyola Press) and The Inner Chapel (April 2020, Loyola Press). She helps others create space to connect faith and everyday life through facilitating retreats and days of reflection, through writing, and through spiritual direction. With nearly twenty years of ministry experience within the Catholic Church, Becky seeks to help others discover God at work in the every day moments of people’s lives by utilizing St. Ignatius’ Spiritual Exercises and the many gifts that our Catholic faith and Ignatian Spirituality provide.