The Journey Forward

Unless you hate father and mother, brother and sister, even your own life, you cannot be my disciple. Such words of Jesus sound harsh, especially since it is Jesus who told us to LOVE OUR ENEMIES! So what is this all about?

All of us have come to a point in life where a decision is difficult because in making it, we might hurt or offend someone we love. Whether it be real or imagined, we need to put aside emotional ties to look for the truth of our future, and where the spirit is leading. Whatever decision we must make, unless we look toward heaven and base our choice on the Holy Spirit, we will never move forward in life.

In his book, The Alchemist, Paulo Coelho examines our journey in life. He notes how many people are content to dream. Some even get close to seeing the fulfillment of their dream. But somehow, we often stop short. Going all the way seems counter to our nature.

Perhaps this is what Jesus means when he tells us that to follow him means to give up our life. He isn't asking us for some kind of death, but rather for a determination that goes forward without letting sentiment, personal feelings, fear, intimidation, or any other lesser emotion get in our way. Going forward requires that we not become attached to our "place" in the here and now.  For often we cannot see the treasure close to us  until we've made the journey that changes and martures our vision. And life is, after all, a journey forward.