I have been contemplating on Monday’s Gospel Readings. The Lord told us to, “Clothe the naked, feed the hungry, shelter the homeless, give drink to the thirsty, etc.” (Matthew 25:31-46) This all seems easy enough and most of us are willing to do these things. What about the “harder things Christ calls us to do?” What is our reaction to these? Do these things go against our very nature?
These are things I thought about myself, and I will only apply these to myself. Some of you may not struggle with this, but in all honesty I do. (I know I said I would be back on Wednesday but I have things I have to do for Mom tomorrow:>)
“Follow Me” - In my own nature I like to be a leader. I like to be in control of my own life, and I must admit at times, the lives of others. So to “follow” Someone goes against my very nature. It is hard to follow in the path of another. Yet, this is what the Lord calls me to do, to “follow His path.” I do not think I do that easily and maybe at times, not even willingly.
“Do not lie” - Lying is not a huge issue for me, unless…………..humilation is going to come into play with the truth. It is hard for me to tell the truth when I know I am going to have “egg” all over my face. My gut response is “lie my way out of this,” or “maybe just tell a half truth.” My very nature does not digest “humiliation.” My nature would rather break one of God’s commandments, then to “have egg on my face.”
“Lay down my life for a friend” - “Uh Jesus, come on surely not!!! I love my friends and all, but are they truly worth my life?” I do not even want to die because I have to, much less “lay my life down for a friend!” All I know is “life on earth.” It seems like I have been here since the beginning of creation, as I remember nothing else. To die, is taking me “way out of my comfort zone!” So why in the world would I want to “offer my life for someone elses?”
“Love my enemies” - Well this one works really well for me! A person is my “enemy” which means they are not my “friend.” Which means they do not like me. Which means they will gossip and slander me. Turn their face from me if they meet me on the street. They may even try to hurt me. “Love them????” It is very hard to love someone who “hates me.” That is not in my nature at all.
“Be Christ-like” - “Oh yes Lord, I will.” “Oh wait a minute Lord, that means the “Day of the Cross” at times in my life.” “Let’s see, being spit upon, beaten, drug through a street, carrying my cross.” “That also means saying “Father Your will be done.” ”Give me some time to think about it, and I will get back to You.” Makes you kind of want to run in the other direction doesn’t it? Along with the joy, comes total surrender of my will and sufferings. What will I do without my blessed “will?”
I will end with these, though I thought of many more. My point is this: These things and many more are why being a “Christian” has to be done through our own “free will.” This is why God cannot impose it upon us. He cannot make us choose this way of life. To me He cannot, because it goes against all of our logic, as we have to believe in and of things that we cannot feel, see, or touch. We are called to do things which in our nature are truly not there to do. We would “resent” God greatly. These things are not in our nature, because our nature is “self-serving.” If God made us do these things, it would even be more of a “struggle” then it is. This is why we need to pray for the “grace of conversion” for ourselves daily.
God Bless, SR
Truer words have never been spoken.
I appreciate the way you make these Scriptures up-close-and-personal, and a challenge to me to examine my own life and attitudes. Thanks!
Hey Reinkat,
Hope all is well with you today. You have been on my mind today for some reason. Maybe it is because you are just the special person that you are. These words are “true for me for sure.” You know how ready and “on fire” we are to serve God, until it truly puts a “hole in our ground of life.” I think you are correct. We need to examine our own lives and “attitudes” daily. Thanks for comment and God Bless, SR
Nicely said. If God were to impose on us, not only would there be no free will, there wouldn’t be love.
Hey Biltrix,
Thank you. I did not think about there not being “any love.” Thanks for that observation. I have learned over the course of this year, praying for “my conversion” daily is a must. We always hear, “Pray for the conversion of sinners so that they will come to the Lord.” I don’t think that just applies to those who do not believe in God. I think we as Christians need it as much as they do. Thanks for comment and God Bless, SR
“Love my enemies” – That’s a real hard one for me. I mean why should I be nice to people that treat me horribly? Let alone pray for them? Although for some reason praying for their conversion seems easier than coming into contact with my enemies.
I truly appreciate your honesty in this personal post SR. You are right about us needing to re-examine ourselves daily. We definitely do need saying Yes to God to be an act of our free will. God gives us the grace to do this. But if God forced this upon us it would feel like a punishment or a burden and I doubt we would see having a relationship with God as being a good thing. God Bless.
Hey Teresa,
Yes, it is hard to “love and pray for our enemies.” I have found this in my life though. If I do not try to love them and forgive them right then in the moment, and begin to pray, eventually the rest will come. To be honest the first several prayers are done soley out of obedience to God’s Word, not from my heart. After a time passes, my heart will come into play. I actually think if we are faithful in our prayers for them, they actually do more for us in the long run. “Let the guard down type thing.” I pray daily Teresa, for the “grace of my conversion” almost first thing in the morning, as I know I am going to have something come up that my nature for the situation is going to have to die. I cannot do it without Jesus. I am too hot-tempered and hard headed. I agree, if we were made to say “Yes” to God it would feel like a punishment and burden. “Seeing a relationship with Him as a “good thing” would be impossible for me at least. It would be the “force” issue with me, (which I am doing a post on tomorrow finishing it now) I never reacted well when my own parents “made me do something.” Of course they did raise me, and then wondered why:>) They are the same way:>) Thanks for comment and good to see you felt good enough to read. God Bless, SR