I have given a lot of thought to the fact that it simply takes one person, one voice to start change. It means that even if everyone is telling you something is impossible, if you believe in your heart that it is possible, then you should not give up. If your faith calls you to it and The Holy Spirit is guiding you, then do not interfere with the Will of God. That means listening to Him and not to those persons in the world who may be clouded in their judgments.
(Hebrews 11:1) 1 Now faith is assurance of things hoped for, proof of things not seen.
My Catholic faith has, at times, cost me relationships with those I love. My faith compells me to do more for those who need assistance. It is my faith that connects me with God's Will for my life and that faith drives me to seek out whatever He wants from me. Often, that means doing things when I am exhausted both physically and mentally. That means pushing through headaches, foregoing plans with friends and/or family, and even taking away time from my husband in certain cases. I am called to follow Him and there is no bigger commitment than that! Unfortunately, the cost of that faith is ultimately to push people away who do not understand it. They view it as their being abandoned rather than my call to help the lives of others. They do not see that because I have faith, I am compelled to do good things and cannot simply pray and call it a day. I must do more...be the true Hands of Christ to others. Otherwise, what good is my faith?
(James 2:14-17) 14 What good is it, my brothers, if a man says he has faith, but has no works? Can faith save him? 15 And if a brother or sister is naked and in lack of daily food, 16 and one of you tells them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled;” and yet you didn’t give them the things the body needs, what good is it? 17 Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead in itself.
Now, don't get me wrong. I still enjoy time with my husband. We talk daily, we make the most of our time together, and we support one another in our endeavors. My marriage, after all, is my first vocation and must always be cared for as is God's Will. However, because I am married to a man of true faith and love for God, I am able to receive his full support on my path. He knows my intentions and that I follow God's Will for my life. He is wonderful at keeping me focused. My loving husband also walks the path with me and, he keeps me from overshooting it when my zeal threatens to do so. God provided me with the perfect husband on Earth so that I might be fully able to do God's Will during my life. My friends are the kind of friends everyone should have because they remain loving and supportive in spite of my absence in their lives. God has blessed me, immensely!
(Ephesians 5:25-33) 25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the assembly, and gave himself up for it; 26 that he might sanctify it, having cleansed it by the washing of water with the word, 27 that he might present the assembly to himself gloriously, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. 28 Even so husbands also ought to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself. 29 For no man ever hated his own flesh; but nourishes and cherishes it, even as the Lord also does the assembly; 30 because we are members of his body, of his flesh and bones. 31 “For this cause a man will leave his father and mother, and will be joined to his wife. The two will become one flesh.” 32 This mystery is great, but I speak concerning Christ and of the assembly. 33 Nevertheless each of you must also love his own wife even as himself; and let the wife see that she respects her husband.
During my journey, I have experienced many ups and downs. I know that this will continue throughout the course of my life. After all, following God gives no guarantees things will be easy. No, often it is the opposite. However, what God does promise is that He will NEVER abandon us. He will give us exactly what we need to endure whatever challenges we face. All we need to do is lift ourselves up to Him with prayer and it shall be done. Sounds easier said than done, right?
(Hebrews 13:6) 6 So that with good courage we say, “The Lord is my helper. I will not fear. What can man do to me?”
I realize in our time of grief, sorrow, anger, and/or frustration the last thing we want to do is reach out toward God. We are comfortable with our sadness and despair in that moment. The feelings consume us and we are fully focused on continuing on that path of self destruction. However, I have come to find that if we take but one moment to cry out to God for His strength, for His comfort, for His Will, a peace is awaiting us that cannot otherwise be felt. Perhaps it is because of our self destructive nature that we hesitate to reach out to Him? Perhaps we want to feel low and defeated, just as a child wants to pout rather than admit that it might not be the best solution to the problem? I can admit it. I have done just that...refused to pray for God to help me BECAUSE I wanted to remain in that ridiculous state. I suppose it always comes down to just that...we are His children and He is the Father waiting for us to get through out pity-party and ask for His help and comfort.
(Psalms 46:1) 1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
(Psalms 138:3) 3 In the day that I called, you answered me. You encouraged me with strength in my soul.
God is not unsympathetic, however. He knows that our problems are quite real to us. He hates to see us suffer and is willing to provide the guidance we require at any moment. I am certain, at times, He does shake his head when we wallow in our suffering for no reason other than not "wanting" to feel better. If we are honest with ourselves, we will all realize that we DO succumb to those childish feelings at times. It is normal to feel that way, but we must remember to turn back to God always. Otherwise, the despair that Satan promotes will seep into everything else in our lives. We must avoid handing over such power to a being that only wants our demise.
(James 4:7) 7 Be subject therefore to God. But resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
(I John 4:4) 4 You are of God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is he who is in you than he who is in the world.
God gives each of us gifts. Every person is different and therefore, it takes all of us working together to achieve God's goals. It is imperative we use His gifts for His purpose so that others might recognize His Will in our actions and then, in turn, use their gifts to accomplish His Will. It begins with one person, one voice. That's all it takes to set things in motion. If no one uses the talents bestowed upon them by God, then how will God's mercy, love, justice, and comfort reach those in need? If we are unwilling to become the vessels for His truth, then how will others know to do the same? How often have we been prompted to increase our own faith life or commit an act of kindness or mercy simply because we saw one person doing the same? Think about how amazing it would be if everyone committed to doing just one thing for God every day! Can you imagine the effect that one person can have on another? The ripple caused by those actions is capable of traveling around the world if we believe in God's plan.
(1 Peter 4:10) 10 As each has received a gift, employ it in serving one another, as good managers of the grace of God in its various forms.
We must choose to listen to God. He is always with us, always ready, always guiding. However, we must choose by our own free will to follow Him. It is because Christ sacrificed Himself for our failings that we now have the opportunity to right wrongs, to sacrifice ourselves for the good of others. Our calling is to follow Him and for some that means serving the poor, for some it will be through leading a spiritual community, and many other ways. If we listen to God and open ourselves to His Will, then all we do shall be in accordance with Him and how can we go wrong if that is the case?
(Hebrews 13:6) 6 So that with good courage we say, “The Lord is my helper. I will not fear. What can man do to me?”
(John 14:27) 27 Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you; not as the world gives, give I to you. Don’t let your heart be troubled, neither let it be fearful.
