Make it Your Own

Who of us has not been touched by a beautiful thought, a wonderful book, or an inspiring story. The Gospels too offer rich insights. Paul Claudet writes The Gospels show us the Savior coming to the soul and imparting truth and virtue by the touch of a hand, the brushing of a garment, a bit of moistened earth applied to the locked eyelids. One look from him is enough to make an apostle out of that idler yawning under the fig tree…

What Claudet writes is poetic. Many times words or phrases from the gospel touch our hearts, and we feel inspired and lifted up. But such sentiments, wonderful as they are, often fail us when life tumbles and we are grasping for something solid. Just like the apostles of Jesus, being moved by the words of Jesus is not enough. When their lives tumbled, and suffering surrounded them and their Master, these same disciples deserted Jesus in the garden. They dropped everything they had and ran for their lives. Why? They had heard and were amazed at what Jesus said. But they had not imbibed those words at a deeper level. They had to realize that the beauty of Jesus words give life only when we make them our own.

There are times in our lives when the words that once sounded poetic and profound no longer inspire. That is a good time for us, a time laden with grace, because it brings us to a new awareness. It brings us to a point where we cannot continue as passive spectators. If we allow it, the very questioning we begin opens up the truths we believe in, allowing us to delve deeper. Only when we find better answers, ones brought out by our own ponderings and not some pious sentiment found in a book, will we find strength in Jesus words.

Time to Forget

Ever have one of those days when you're tired of thinking wonderful and heroic thoughts, when life seems to drag just a bit, and you wonder if you're up the the challenge, the continual challenge of being true to yourself? During such times it is tempting to find a hideaway where we can mope and feel sorry for ourselves. That's because there are times when a safe spot becomes more desirable than a honest one. The storms of life batter and discourage, and its normal to wonder when will it all begin to fall into place, or if it ever will. As much as one glories in being a pilgrim, the pilgrim's life can get down right lonely at times.

I suppose we all go through the above emotions. Life isn't a planned, straight road for most of us. Going it alone can be difficult, even for those of us who are used to it.

Then it is good to hunker down in that soul-room of our heart and just let life be. Because if past experience teaches us anything, it is the truth that God takes care of his own in his own time and in his own way.

So hunker down and enjoy the simple things of life: the sun, the birds, the budding trees. There is a time to let go of bigger issues, and wait on God for strength, hope and courage. There is a time to forget. I think that time is now.