Rel Integration Paper

Reflection paper

I found the first principle and foundation interesting because it talks about faith and about devotion to God. I have noticed that the piece is the spiritual exercise that talks about the life in God and that the world is a gift from God. It talks about how we should live a life of God forever. It has explained how it’s good to trust in God. I feel like this piece has a lot of impact on people’s lives and how if the gifts given by God are taken as a center to our lives, then it will end up displacing people from God. I agree that we should devote our lives to God forever because he is the one who created us and loves us. I think that it is good if everyone gives way to God’s life to flow in our lives and his goodness forever.

I also noticed that God gave every one of us a gift. Therefore, I think that it is important that we all discern it since it brings us closer to God. I feel like it is the time that people should find in them the gifts that God gave them so that it can help them in bringing them closer to God. What makes me feel like people should find their gifts is because many people are losing their focus in God and many are displaced from God. I think that the first principle and foundation has made me realize that God gave us humans everything that we need including gifts that will help us to always remember him and give thanks whenever we are using the gifts.

I agree with the fact that everyone should appreciate the gifts that they were given to them and those who do not know their gifts should try and find what is inside them so that they can appreciate. The gifts can remind us of God’s goodness and love when we are in the low times and when we feel like we are separated from God. The best advice that I can give people and it is what I have learned from the first principle and foundation is that every one of us should use our gifts to glorify him and to help others realize what their gift is. The first principle and foundation have changed my thinking and my life. I never knew that the gifts that we are given by God help us to be loving people. However, I found out that the same gifts that we were given may become the center of our lives hence ending up displacing and pushing us away from God. Therefore, even though the gifts are important to us, I think that we should first put God the center of our lives. Basically, we have to grow in God and if our gift displaces us, we will not be able to grow in him.

I will use what I have learned from the first principle and foundation to help someone else in many ways. I will help someone else recognize God in their life and put God first before anything despite the problems that they are facing or how to reach they are. I also feel like before starting our everyday life, we should appreciate God and follow our calling. In other words, we should listen to God and realize our purpose in life so that we can do it wholeheartedly. The first principle and foundation relate to my life in many ways. First, I have been through many difficulties but with God, he will help me in overcoming all of them. Therefore, the first principle and foundation have been important in my life. I will be able to share the knowledge that I acquired in helping others find God in them and the gifts that they are given. I agree that we should not set our desires on wealth, success, failure, health issues among other factors but set our desire on God since he will help us in every step of our life.

When I read about the first principle and foundation, I felt like it is the time that I should give my life to God and I went into prayers. I am now sure that I will remember every detail and that will help me in living my life according to God’s rules and ways. I enjoyed reading the first principle and foundation a lot and it helped me reflect on how God has been good to me throughout my life and I feel like it is a high time that I should help others find peace in God and accept God in their life and make him the first priority. In addition to that, the first principle and foundation have changed my life positively since I now know the importance of God in my life and putting him in the center of my life.

References

Fleming, D. L. (2010). What is Ignatian spirituality?. Loyola Press.

Gray, H., & From, S. J. (2008). Ignatian spirituality. An Ignatian Spirituality Reader, 59-84.