Recently I was reflecting on the story of the prophet Elijah hiding in the cave. You are probably familiar with the story. Elijah is running for his life. He has angered the “wicked” queen Jezabel, and she has sent her henchmen to find him and kill him (1 Kings: 19:1-18). Shortly after crawling exhaustedly into the cave, Elijah hears a voice. It is God who asks him, “What are you doing here?”
I think that’s a very good question to hear God asking of us–as we sit down to pray each day, as we settle into our pew before Mass, or as we enter our place of work each day whether that place is our home, office, manufacturing plant, store, school, hospital–or wherever.
This is the question I like to hear God asking me when I begin my prayer. I find myself answering this question in a wide variety of ways. Here are some sample answers to that question. Maybe you might find yourself in some of these answers. Or maybe these answers might generate your own answers to this question.
+ I’m here to praise You and give thanks to You for all the blessings in my life–beginning with the gift of life itself.
+ I’m here to reset my “spiritual GPS” before I venture into this brand new day, a day I have never lived before, and a place I have never been before.
+ I’m here to speak my heart to You–not just my mind. Help me find the words.
+ I’m hear to listen to You speak to me. Please speak loudly and slowly and clearly, so I might begin to understand what You might be saying to me. Let me listen with the ears of my heart as well as my mind.
+ I’m here to get some peace, some rest, some encouragement.
+ I’m here to report to You… to debrief… to say, “So, that’s where I am now. What’s next?”
+ I’m here to say “I’m sorry” to You for: (pick any!) my ingratitude… impatience… crabbiness… self-centeredness… greed… pride… judging others… lack of trust in You… laziness…
+ I’m here to get the courage to say “I’m sorry” to someone I’ve slighted… taken for granted… offended… spoken harshly to…
+ I’m here with my heart filled with suffering humanity whose faces I see every time I close my eyes. I am overwhelmed… I feel powerless… so I’m bringing them all to You.
+ I’m here to ask, to plead, to beg, even to grovel for your help.
+ I’m here to hide (temporarily) from the storm I’m experiencing right now… and the storms happening all over our hurting world.
+ I’m here to grieve the loss of ___ whom I’m missing so much today.
+I’m here to have some fun with You, to play a little, to find some reasons to laugh. After all, the great St. Teresa of Avila heard You say to her once when she went to prayer: “Enjoy me!”
+ I’m here just to be in silence with You for a little while, knowing that “silence” is often Your preferred way of comunicating with us.
+ I’m here to say to You again–as I’ve been trying to say ever since I uttered my very first prayers to You: “I love You THIS MUCH!”–with my arms extended as far and wide as they will reach.
For reflection:
Do any of these answers resonate with your own experience?
How would YOU answer God’s question, “What are you doing here?”
Did any of today’s photos speak to you?
And here’s a question I have for you: “What are you doing here–reading this blog?” (I’m curious what your answer might be. That’s all…)
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PS: Our annual Chicken Barbecue & Boutique will be held on this coming Sunday September 28 from noon until 5:00 on the NDCL Campus, 13000 Auburn Road, Chardon, OH. Go to our website for details: sndusa.org. I’ll be at the “Book Nook” in the boutique from noon until 3:00. I’ll be selling my books at a discount–and I’m giving a few of my books for FREE! Stop and say hello!
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Sometimes a song answers the question: “What are you doing here?” I think this song does. It’s “I Need You” by Matt Maher. I sometimes play this song to reset my “spiritual GPS.”
(Reminder: I am recommending this video by Matt Maher. I am not necessarily recommending any of the other videos that appear after this video. Please use your discretion.)
I invite you to comment on this reflection below… I know how much my readers enjoy reading all the comments!
34 Responses
Im here because You gave me life and a purpose…
I’m here because I want to be a recipient of your promise (John 3:16), I want to have eternal life !!! To get it, I need to be your deciple, to become one, I need to imitate you, hejp me do it !!!, Help me follow your steps.
A. Marzan
I’m here to receive the wisdom and strength needed to respond well to the journey you have set for me.
Thank you Sister for this beautiful start to my work week.
I am here to find peace, comfort, and to help me focus on what’s important, God and shining His light for others to see,as I start my week.
This blog helps me focus on the good things.
Blessings to Sister Melannie and all,
Thank you for this perfect reflection for the start of a new week. This question captures all the forms of prayer, and reminds me of the words of St. Therese of Lisieux:
“For me, prayer is a burst from my heart, it is a simple glance thrown toward heaven, a cry of thanksgiving and love in times of trial as well as in times of joy.”
This morning, I am here asking blessing on that which remains the same and that which changes, and the voice to help what is the same and what changes to move forward.
Perfect timing as I was approaching this day with caution not intention. Gracias!
I’m here because your writings are so inspiring! Thank you.
Blessings, Sr. Melanie!
I am here to be fed. This became very clear to me during the pandemic. Thank you for each reflection, picture and song. Peace-Prayers-Pat
Amen! I’m here because I need you. I need God as Matt Maher beautifully sings. I need Sr Melannie’s blog for Spiritual nourishment.
I am here (on your blog) to be spirituality moved to become a better person. Today, I feel convicted of ingratitude and inspired to pray:
“Thank you, Good Lord, for the adventure of this new day. Please strengthen any incompetence I have that keeps me from doing your will.”
I love ALL of these and think I’ve probably said many of them myself! I like to read Sunflower Seeds because they are so uplifting, accessible and thought-provoking. Thank you and God bless you!
I am here because I need God and I need you, Sister Melannie, to help me on my journey
to know and love God. I have never thought of that question as a starter in my prayer time.
I guess I cover quiet time with many words and do not leave much of an opening for Jesus to speak to me. Pray for me to welcome silence. Thank you for this reflection.
I am here because I need my batteries recharged Lord. I am facing a difficult meeting this evening.
“Without You I fall apart. You’re the one that guides my heart.”
So many times I have participated in this song with other believers in worship and praise. In such communities, with many voices declaring the same words, I am aware of the greatness of the Lord we follow and serve. He hears us collectively as one, yet He knows every distinct, individual voice and the intentions that come with it. His answers, grace, and peace are unique to each seeker. He holds everything together and soothes us with His presence and promises. “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28
I’m here because I find your weekly blog life giving.
As I speak this qustion in my mind, I hear God say, “Because I am here”…..and as I reflect on that a bit more, I know it to be true. I am drawn to where I know God is and that is what helps me through each day.
Not only am I fed through your thoughts and ideas, Sr. Melannie, but I am also fed through the readers’ reponses….this is a safe place to be to share our hearts and for that reason I keep returning!
May you be blessed as you ae a blessing to others,
Mary N.
Good morning Sr Melannie.
I often find myself asking God the question “What am I supposed to be doing here?” Oftentimes I don’t really wait for an answer. Guess I’ll try it your way this week and see how it goes.😄
I love this song and use it often as my prayer. The picture of the person with outstretched hands also speaks to me.
Thank you for the reflection this week. God bless you and each of us.
I have been reading your blog forever! I don’t remember how I found it or how long it has been, but I do know that I look forward to reading. Thank you for helping me along my spiritual journey.
God bless you Sister!
I am here, longing for inspiration and guidance to navigate the new day as it comes. I feel good in the fellowship of the followers of your blog as you give us insights, wisdom and spiritual guidance. Sister Melannie, you are my North Star. With respect, gratitude and thank you and your readers.
May God bless all of you.
Asteria
I’m here because of the joy and hope you remind us(me) of each week that God generously gives us
The phrase regarding being overwhelmed and powerless because of suffering humanity and giving it to God is one of those reminders…
I’m here to thank You God for Your constant presence as I recover from a surprise visit to the ER last week. After calling 911 because I thought I was having a stroke, EMTs arrived quickly and in the ambulance, they prepared me for what was about to happen at the ER. My prayer was Lord, let me trust those, who I’ll soon meet, to be Your Hands. I’ve been peaceful through the 3 days of treatment in the hospital, the diagnosis, and in these days at home and keeping appointments. I have felt Your Love in the care of my family and friends. I’m here to thank You, praise You and help others to trust in You too.
I am here because I throughly enjoy your writings and share them with friends and family often. I am artist, you had written a prayer that I read before each project-“How can I help you?” Reading it before I begin helps me bring God into my work. Last weeks post about the scape goat prompted me to paint the goat bc we can all related to the story you wrote. I am going to print out the prompts you wrote this week and use them in my morning prayers! I love your blog post and look forward to it each Monday in my in box!
I’m here reading your blog because I always find something (sometimes lots) I can carry away. Today it’s a LOT — we are having an Adoration Chapel awareness weekend (when we encourage new adorers to our chapel) soon and I’m one of the speakers. Your blog just gave me a whole lot of things I can use to encourage people to spend an hour a week at the chapel – especially when they say “what would I do there for a WHOLE hour?” So many great answers to that question are in your list of Why am I here? Thank you for these thoughts – for myself and for what to say to help people realize how much one hour a week can and will change their lives. I look forward to finding your email in my inbox every Monday.
Sr. Melannie,
What a great question! And sometimes I don’t know the answer to that. The answer that resonates with me is “I’m here to listen to You speak to me. Please speak loudly and slowly and clearly, so I might begin to understand what You might be saying to me. Let me listen with the ears of my heart as well as my mind.”
I’m reading your blog every week because you provide spiritual nourishment for our souls and because I am humbled and thankful for the people who open their minds and hearts in response to your beautiful gifts. You are truly a blessing to all who read your blog! Thank you!
I’m here because God led me to you through your entries in Living Faith. He speaks to me through you and the responses shared here. I often use your questions to get me started writing in my journal. I remember the first time i heard “I need You”. I was attending the Columbus Women’s Conference and we sang it at the end of a moving testimony. I was sobbing. I love singing it to Our Lord when I’m alone in our adoration chapel.
I’m here with You Lord because this is the only thing that makes sense to me. I’m reading this blog because it gives me hope. Thank you!
….because I feel like my life is so bleak, I was hoping I would find some hope.
I’m here because I love to read the daily Bible reading that come up on Google news feed ” in today’s world we are so stuck in the technology but I’m happy ☺️ By the Grace of Father God blesses all of us throughout the holy Spirit!! ❣️🙏🏾❣️🙏🏾🙏🏾❣️ Thank you God 🙏🏾 thank you Brother Yeshua and Thank you Mother Mary!!
I am here because you have the words of eternal life, you are my portion and my cup, and I will walk with you in this land of the living. Amen.
Lord, you are my portion and my cup, hold fast my lot. Amen. Alleluia!
Sister, I can take each of your responses and come up with answers to God
May His peace be always in our hearts. Blessings Sr. Melannie.
Hi Sister Melanie, I read your blog because it is accessible – to read, to reflect upon, to pray with, to apply to everyday life. The blog is the right length, your purpose in writing is clear, and I feel like I am reading a letter from a friend. Than you so much for your ministry.
All of those answers and the order depends on the day.
I am here because I desire to feel God’s love for me and to live that love throughout my life ❤️
I’m here because you inspired me when you were my English teacher in the twelfth grade.
I really like the list format of your reasons. I’m used to working with equations and computer code, and both are line-by-line, like your list.
Even better was the content of each line in your list. Thank you so much!