The theme this week is hearing and responding to the call of Christ and this is actually a very interesting topic, and one that is very significant to those that have walked in the ways of the world. Lord we pray for grace and mercy for all who are lost, struggling, fumbling or tripping in their life.
This morning I was reading my Ignatian Exercise book and he had a great quote - and I figured out how to copy it!
"At times, we may resist opening our ears to Christ's call because we are afraid of what we'll hear (for example, we may not want to change something about our lifestyle). Or we may resist because we have an image of God as imposing the divine will on us to make us pay for some past sin. To the contrary, God's call is meant to give us a fuller life of deeper meaning and authentic joy (though not without the sacrifices that accompany a life of discipleship). Far from being imposed from above, God's will-or God's desire-for us is found in our own deepest, truest desires." The Ignatian Adventure, O'Brien
This is so true, and probably something that many struggle with, especially the first line. Lord, help us all to see both our need for you and Your awesome glorious relationship.
I am reminded of Jesus statement from John 10:10b "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." The Lord is not after a limited life, but rather the fullest possible life. The enemy would lie to us and tell us that the Lord is all about rules and regulations, things that we can't do anymore. The truth is that the Lord desires nothing of the sort, what He wants is relationship, and for us to come into our destiny as His children, His heirs.
We are often so focused about the here and now, the things right in front of us, and the Lord is inviting us to the deeper places, to the greater realities. We have the opportunity to change the world, to make an eternal difference in our lives, and the lives of those around us. We have the opportunity to extend healing, health, peace, joy, mercy and compassion to the world. We have the opportunity to step into the destiny we were created for in the first place. We are invited to walk in complete fulfillment. The invitation is to step into the dream life, the life that fulfills us at the deepest level.
To put it in a car analogy - we have a nice little Ford escort that has a decent sound system, and has been the car that many good memories were made in. Its old, a bit rusted, we don't quite fit comfortably, and several options don't work, but it is our car. Now we are being given the opportunity to receive a Rolls-Royce that was custom built just for us, all the options you want and need, seats built exactly to your measurements, and the exact right color. The car comes with the privileges associated with the owners of such a car. The only thing we need to do is trade in the Ford. Seems like it would be an easy decision, and yet many of us choose to stay with the old car.
Lord, I pray that You would help us to see the reality of life with You, seeing through the lies and deception that the enemy has constructed about life as a Christian. Help us to recognize that You are all about inviting us to a deep, meaningful abundant life, that was designed specifically for us.
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