Sainthood or bust

Today's readings: Deuteronomy 4:1, 5-9; Psalm 147: 12-13, 15-16, 19-20; Matthew 5:17-19

The words of Moses today are so powerful. It simply amazes me how much guidance and help the Lord has given us in this life. I have included part of what Moses spoke to the Israelites:

Moses spoke to the people and said: “Now, Israel, hear the statutes and decrees which I am teaching you to observe, that you may live, and may enter in and take possession of the land which the LORD, the God of your fathers, is giving you. Therefore, I teach you the statutes and decrees as the LORD, my God, has commanded me, that you may observe them in the land you are entering to occupy. Observe them carefully, for thus will you give evidence of your wisdom and intelligence to the nations, who will hear of all these statutes and say, ‘This great nation is truly a wise and intelligent people.’ For what great nation is there that has gods so close to it as the LORD, our God, is to us whenever we call upon him? Or what great nation has statutes and decrees that are as just as this whole law which I am setting before you today?

Seriously, how much more clear can God be when he tells Moses to remind us to observe the statutes and decrees SO THAT WE MAY LIVE, ENTER AND TAKE POSSESSION OF THE LAND THE LORD IS GIVING US!

I am reminded of the many times that I coached swimming. I loved to coach the new swimmers. To help them to become familiar with breathing and then developing their strokes so that they can get better. Often I had to stop them in the middle of the pool to remind them of the proper stroke technique. In addition, I found myself in the pool often showing them how to move their legs and arms with the different strokes. They understood that what I was doing was giving them help to become better, and not just being mean. And as a swimmer, I didn't only listen to my coaches, I EXPECTED them to correct me and give me feedback on how I needed to observe the proper technique. That was, after all, why I went to their pool to practice.

And this reality exists in all of our jobs, our classrooms, and in our homes. If we do not get help from those in authority we feel like we are not getting respect.

So, why do we treat God so much differently? Why do we expect Him to stay out of our lives? 

If you want to live in the land that has been given to you (Heaven), you need to follow certain guidelines. God doesn't hide these from us, but gives us reminders throughout each day.

Then Moses goes on to say that we should follow these guidelines not only so we can live in the land promised us, but to be an example for others who see us! We should live our life in such a way that people come and ask how they can live the same. Our actions should lead others to Christ! What an amazingly difficult challenge.

Maybe that is why so many LOVE the stories of the Saints. We love to see their life, their freedom from sin, their humility, their goodness...and we want that! 

God is calling us to Sainthood, AND HE HAS GIVEN US THE PLAYBOOK!

Will you follow the decrees and statutes that God has given for your freedom? 

As we get further into Lent, let us take time to remember our Lenten promises and how they help us to fashion a life of freedom and joy. What are other things that God is helping you to refine/change so that you can become more successful and happy?

Humility

It has been a couple of weeks since I have taken the time to post on here. Many things have been going on, and it was difficult to find time and ability to continue working on this. Although I did continue to read the daily readings, I felt that I let them escape me quickly in the day and I haven't spent as much time allowing the words to move me into action. I am glad that I am feeling a little bit more coherent throughout the days and I am hopeful that I will be able to pick this practice back up.

Today's readings: 2 Kings 5:1-15; Psalm 42: 2, 3; 43: 3, 4; Luke 4:24-30

I feel like every time I read this story about Naaman, I could put my name in his place. 

Naaman was a leader of his people, but he also had leprosy. When he went to Elisha to be cured, Elisha did not answer the way Naaman was expecting. Elisha didn't even come to see Naaman. Instead he just sent a note that said to go and wash seven times in the Jordan. This made Naaman angry because it seemed like Elisha was just blowing him off and didn't care to help. Not only that, but Naaman was even frustrated with what Elisha suggested. How would the water of the Jordan be any better to cure leprosy than other rivers? Naaman was ready to return back to his home expecting no one to help him with his disease.

Fortunately, his servants were able to see a little more clearly and they persuaded him to go and wash in the Jordan. Luckily he had enough humility to listen to them. As he did what was told of him, he became clean! 

So many times in life we have certain expectations of God. When the reality of God's response is different than our expectation, we become frustrated with God and wonder if He even cares. We walk away and believe that nothing will change because God won't give us the light of day, simply because he didn't respond how we wanted or thought he would.

It is hard to see God's loving embrace when you are facing difficulties and times of suffering, especially because often God asks us to remain in that place and let His love work through us to heal us and those around us. We want a change, and often God shows us that the change will come from within.

I think that is one of the many reasons that families and friends are so important. It is times that we are so focused on our own will, that it takes someone who cares for us to remind us about God's Will and about His loving plan for us. They want us to be successful and prosper, and they notice that we are closing the door of our heart to change and follow the help God is giving. They become like Naaman's servants.

It was probably tough for them to stick their neck out and try to tell Naaman that he is making a big mistake. He was angry. What if he didn't want to listen to them? They probably considered that option. However, they knew that they had to speak up. Putting their life at stake simply in hopes that Naaman would reconsider and listen to the words of Elisha.

Like that, our friends and families risk something in pointing out the times that we are not being open to God. They don't do this because it is easy, but because they love us. They want us to be successful, and they want us to let God heal us. 

Just like Naaman had to have enough humility to listen to those around him, his servants also had to have great humility. To see that their life was about more than just them and their well-being. They had to have trust that pointing out the truth was the right thing to do, regardless of the what would happen.

I think this reading helps us to understand the virtue of humility. Humility in believing God. Humility in listening to those around us. Humility in being a reminder of the love of God and his deep desire to heal us.

How can you work on being more humble in these areas in your life?