"Man's steps are from the Lord;
how, then, can a man understand his way?"
- Proverbs 20:24
This verse if very simliar to my previous post, but I saw it, and it hit me like a train. Just let it sink in. Let it be. Don't worry about the future. Do what you can today. God has plans for you, and they're magnificent. Just let him show you.
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Monday, April 18, 2011
The Passion
This past Sunday was Palm Sunday, the beginning of Holy Week leading up to Easter. This week, we read the account of the Passion of our Lord in the Gospels. During the Homily, the priest stressed how the Passion is not just a story. It is real.
I tried envisioning something to grasp the pain Mary felt or those around Jesus felt while he was being crucified on the cross. They weren't pretty, happy thoughts, but it definitely helped me better understand Jesus's death. I envisioned my best friend being condemned to death. I envisioned my father being scourged. I pictured my brother, hanging on the cross, covered in blood. I pictured them dying for me, for my sins. I pictured them suffering so I could live eternally. The truth is Jesus lives in each of those people. Jesus is the stranger we meet. He is my best friend, my father, my brother. We died on the cross with Jesus, and we will rise with him.
Then I immediately thought back to our childhood. If Jesus lives in my brother, have I been a good role model for him? Have I ever done anything that led my brother into sin? Have I respected my father like Jesus was living inside him? Did I support my friend in living for Jesus? Are we treating the people around us with the idea that Jesus lives in them?
God spoke to me during mass, and I wanted to share. If we listen, He speaks.
I tried envisioning something to grasp the pain Mary felt or those around Jesus felt while he was being crucified on the cross. They weren't pretty, happy thoughts, but it definitely helped me better understand Jesus's death. I envisioned my best friend being condemned to death. I envisioned my father being scourged. I pictured my brother, hanging on the cross, covered in blood. I pictured them dying for me, for my sins. I pictured them suffering so I could live eternally. The truth is Jesus lives in each of those people. Jesus is the stranger we meet. He is my best friend, my father, my brother. We died on the cross with Jesus, and we will rise with him.
Then I immediately thought back to our childhood. If Jesus lives in my brother, have I been a good role model for him? Have I ever done anything that led my brother into sin? Have I respected my father like Jesus was living inside him? Did I support my friend in living for Jesus? Are we treating the people around us with the idea that Jesus lives in them?
God spoke to me during mass, and I wanted to share. If we listen, He speaks.
Friday, April 15, 2011
Proverbs19:20
"Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the decision of the Lord that endures." -Proverbs 19:20
When life becomes busy, we tend to start looking ahead. We schedule and plan. If something goes wrong, it potentially becomes an obstacle for our plans. However, our plans are never guaranteed. It's what we think or want that matters. It's what God wants and has planned. He may not let you in on his plan initially, but it will initially work out because "God's will be done." I take complete comfort in knowing the Lord has plans that he will eventually reveal to me. Until then, I just have to pray and listen. I may make plans for my future, to marry, become a doctor, etc., but God may have other plans, and I trust that when I am doing what God has planned for me, that is when I will be happiest. I may be able to avoid his plans, not listen for awhile, and do what I want, but "it is the decision of the Lord that endures." In the end, God will have the final say.
I want everyone to shrug it off if things don't go their way, or be calm if they're not exactly sure what they want to do or should do, because God has it figured out for you. Pray to him, and he will give you the best answer.
When life becomes busy, we tend to start looking ahead. We schedule and plan. If something goes wrong, it potentially becomes an obstacle for our plans. However, our plans are never guaranteed. It's what we think or want that matters. It's what God wants and has planned. He may not let you in on his plan initially, but it will initially work out because "God's will be done." I take complete comfort in knowing the Lord has plans that he will eventually reveal to me. Until then, I just have to pray and listen. I may make plans for my future, to marry, become a doctor, etc., but God may have other plans, and I trust that when I am doing what God has planned for me, that is when I will be happiest. I may be able to avoid his plans, not listen for awhile, and do what I want, but "it is the decision of the Lord that endures." In the end, God will have the final say.
I want everyone to shrug it off if things don't go their way, or be calm if they're not exactly sure what they want to do or should do, because God has it figured out for you. Pray to him, and he will give you the best answer.
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