Faith Venture

When complimented on an athletic skill exhibited during a contest, the child asked, “How did I do that?” The answer returned, “Because you practiced it again and again.”

Do you want to run a 5K, 10K, or marathon? Better buy a good pair of shoes, get yourself outside, and start running. There is no alternative. Running the race in your head while sitting in your comfortable chair will not build the strength and endurance you need.

Heed these words from Pope Saint John Paul II–Some Christians think they are able to do without constant spiritual effort because they do not heed the urgency of confronting themselves with the truth of the gospel. So as not to disturb their way of living, they attempt to empty, and make innocuous, words such as: “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you” (Luke 6:27).

How many people do we know or read about who are still in their spiritual infancy? They may speak as if they are mature. They exhibit none of the marks of one who has done the real work of spiritual formation.

Maybe because that takes effort.

There is no substitute for serious reading, thinking, praying, meditating, and service.

At the beginning of the day, think–God, provide one enemy today for me to love. Provide one neighbor in need for me to serve.

At the end of the day, reflect–where were all the opportunities God placed before me and where did I do the work and where could I do better?

This entry was posted on May 28, 2019 at 6:59 am and is filed under Disciplines. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.