“The only way we can genuinely live in reality is by discovering and surrendering to the natural movement toward God within each of us. The more this movement takes root in our lives, the more we are able to contemplate the nature of God and His creation…We shouldn’t view our struggles or problems as a bad thing just because they don’t feel good at the time. A wise elderly woman once told me all problems are an opportunity for growth. The obstacles we think are derailing can sometimes be the catalyst for our growth or movement in a direction we need to be going.” (Kevin Scherer, Sacramental Living Ministries)
“Righteousness is one of the general virtues of Wisdom implanted in those who know and love Him. To do righteous things shows the free movement of the will in one who lives according to Wisdom and His virtues. To speak the truth also shows the free movement of the will in one who declares the knowledge Wisdom imparts to him…The ungodly are those who move their free will in the wrong direction. This movement is away from Wisdom and His virtues. Therefore they are not willing to do righteous things.” (Orthodox Study Bible, Proverbs 21:3, 6)
“Evil is not a “thing,” nor something that has any existence or being at all. To think about evil, it is necessary to understand that all of creation (ourselves included) is in motion (kenesis). Everything moves and changes (in terms of being). The proper movement for all things is towards its end in God (its telos). This is a movement towards greater truth, beauty, and goodness. Evil, on the other hand, is a movement away from proper being, a movement away from truth, beauty, and goodness. However, it is crucial to note that this is a movement, and not a thing.” (Father Stephen Freeman)
“The focus of every deliberation, of every act, of every thought and movement of the heart is to be God's righteousness, which shows forth and makes accessible this Kingdom. Any aspect of life which is focused otherwise, which takes as its compass and measure something other than this struggle toward the Kingdom, is to be regarded as part of the “old life” of the “old man.” (Bishop Irenei Steenberg)
“The eyes of the Lord look continuously into our own hearts to see if we serve Him… The eyes of the Lord see every movement of our hearts!... No niche or secret recess within the human heart remains hidden from the Lord. Today’s verses from Proverbs remind us that every issue in this life begins and ends in our hearts. Let us never forget that “the hearts of those without discernment are not safe” (Prv 15:8). Our Lord Jesus adds, “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me” (Jn 14:1). The spiritual health or malaise of the heart has daily and eternal significance.” (Dynamis 3/31/2020)
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