July 12

“The more I called them, the farther they went from me.”

When you were a kid, were you the type of child who listened and did what you were told? Did you trust without question and adhere to the rules? Or, were you like me, and a little more rebellious? Did you have a desire to find things out on your own because of too large a need for curiosity? If you’re like me, the results weren’t usually as positive as the good kids who did what they were told!

I try and think of how God must have felt, how he currently feels, when His people just do not listen. He promises us all the desires of our heart, yet we think we know our hearts better. He guarantees us the Kingdom of Heaven if only we believe in Him and follow His commands; we prefer this earthly kingdom and make our own rules. He entrusts us with the gift of life-our very own body, mind, and soul, yet we take possession of it and think it belongs to us.

How often do we break His most perfect heart by our childish and self-centered ways! Yet, He continues to call us and desires our return. We are each the prodigal in our own way.
One of my favorite quotes is, “We have enough crosses to bear; we don’t need to create more for ourselves.” It’s time to go home. When are you going to stop running away from Him, and instead, throw yourself into His arms?

July 11

“Jesus summoned…” When we read scripture, it can be so tempting to think that the Gospel stories have nothing to do with our own lives and time in history. It’s easy to pretend that what happened while the Twelve disciples were living amongst Jesus has no influence on our day to day lives. But in not recognizing the precise relationship between the disciples and Jesus and each of us and Jesus, we ignore the voice of God.

Indeed, as He called the Twelve, so He calls us. Yes, He “summons” us to go forth and proclaim the Good News. Every single one of us! In fact, He summons us daily in still, small voices. When you wake up and are exhausted, He calls you to work for the Kingdom. When you’re at your job and bored with your tasks, He asks you to offer it up. When He tells you to wait and trust in His promises, He guides you through the darkness.
Each moment of our lives is a summon, a call, to follow His voice.
One of the most beautiful lessons He has recently taught me is to offer up any moment of discomfort for another individual. He has summoned me to make sacrifices, to go beyond myself for the sake of someone I love, trusting His plan and giving Him my heart.

His voice, although so gentle, is profoundly bold and mighty. His “first language”, indeed, “is silence”, and through it, His summons can always be heard.

July 10

“When Ephraim made many altars to expiate sin, his altars became occasions of sin. Though I write for him my many ordinances, they are considered as a stranger’s.” Close your eyes and think about the last time you tried to do something without God.  Finding friends, starting relationships, looking for a new job, going on a vacation…how easy it is for us to do things without inviting God to go there first to prepare the field for sowing. Now, what about the times you have tried to eradicate sin from your life on your own, especially those things that have such deep roots?  What does it look like when we do this…or anything…without Him?  We fail.  And the things we wanted so bad don’t last because they aren’t fruitful…and the things we wanted to disappear keep coming back because it is impossible to remove the weeds without the gardener.

What if you tried to do things differently from today on?  What if you invited God to join you on this journey each step of the way?  What if you sought Him and trusted He would give you the desires of your heart?  And what if you recognized that your sins have already been paid for?  But without His mercy and grace and forgiveness, you will keep drowning with the chains of sin tied around your ankles.

Lord, I invite you to come with me from now on as I journey this life.  Father, bring me the friendships and community that can bring me closer to You…those individuals that I can also be an instrument for.  Give me the grace to trust in Your providence and goodness…that You will provide the desires of my heart.  Fill me with the joy that transcends my own expectations.  Remove all temptation and desire for sin from my heart and break the chains that pull me under.

Amen!