. . . Why are you persecuting Me? (Acts 9: 1-10)
How many times have I heard that whatever way I speak to another or treat another, is the way I am speaking or treating Jesus? Does this matter to me? Do I know this, yet refuse to let it touch me in my inmost being?
A retreat director once told me that she thought that really, we know deep down inside when we are not living as we are called to live. If we are honest with ourselves, we really do know. I believe this to be true. I may play games with myself and others and even God, but deep down, if I let myself face who I am right now, I know what God is asking of me. Why do I then keep playing games?
The picture above bothers me because it is not the first time I have seen a photo of a starving, suffering child. This problem is beyond my responsibility, I may tell myself. I cannot solve this problem. These excuses may be true, but what can I do?
When I was a teacher, I believed that I could help the many teens in my care to realize that they can help others through their future careers, etc. In this way, I felt as if I was helping by "sending forth" many into the future to do their part. I still believe this to be true, but perhaps God is asking something more of me right now, when I no longer teach.
What are my possessions? Am I violent in my thoughts, words or actions? (Just ask the driver who cut me off this morning when I was trying to get to work!) How do I treat others in my own circle of life? Am I a life-GIVER or a life-INHIBITOR?
I will pray these questions in God's presence today God will help me to change the things I need changing with. He helped Saul / Paul. There is HOPE for me! After all, Paul tells me in his letters that "Nothing, (not even my own sins and failings), can ever separate me from the love of Christ." He ought to know. :)
How many times have I heard that whatever way I speak to another or treat another, is the way I am speaking or treating Jesus? Does this matter to me? Do I know this, yet refuse to let it touch me in my inmost being?
A retreat director once told me that she thought that really, we know deep down inside when we are not living as we are called to live. If we are honest with ourselves, we really do know. I believe this to be true. I may play games with myself and others and even God, but deep down, if I let myself face who I am right now, I know what God is asking of me. Why do I then keep playing games?
The picture above bothers me because it is not the first time I have seen a photo of a starving, suffering child. This problem is beyond my responsibility, I may tell myself. I cannot solve this problem. These excuses may be true, but what can I do?
When I was a teacher, I believed that I could help the many teens in my care to realize that they can help others through their future careers, etc. In this way, I felt as if I was helping by "sending forth" many into the future to do their part. I still believe this to be true, but perhaps God is asking something more of me right now, when I no longer teach.
What are my possessions? Am I violent in my thoughts, words or actions? (Just ask the driver who cut me off this morning when I was trying to get to work!) How do I treat others in my own circle of life? Am I a life-GIVER or a life-INHIBITOR?
I will pray these questions in God's presence today God will help me to change the things I need changing with. He helped Saul / Paul. There is HOPE for me! After all, Paul tells me in his letters that "Nothing, (not even my own sins and failings), can ever separate me from the love of Christ." He ought to know. :)