I'm about a week late posting this - but I'm kind of glad because I saw something on Friday that relates to this, so God's time is not my time...anyway...
Last week's Gospel from Luke 14:25-33 included the following warning from Christ: "If anyone comes to me without hating his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple." Wow! Talk about strong words! My pastor noted that he has a strong family that talks to each other a lot, and these are hard words for him to hear. But - he reminded us - what this really means is that Christ must be the center of your life. If you are married, Christ must come before your spouse or your children. If you are single, Christ must come before anything else. It's not easy by any means, but this is what God asks.
These words echo the "Great Commandment" that Jews (and Christians) know by heart: "Hear, O Isreal, the Lord our God, the Lord is One. Therefore, you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength." There's absolutely no wiggle room in this commandment.
The other day, I was riding down a country road with some co-workers on our way to have lunch at the home of a retired co-worker. As we were driving down this road, I saw a sign for "5th Avenue" (no, we weren't in New York City), then a little later saw a sign for "5 1/2 Avenue". Finally, we turned onto "6th Avenue". A little later down the road, we turned down another road that was perhaps 16 1/2 Street. The "1/2" struck me - it's either all the way the next road or not at all! Perhaps 5th and 6th were already up when 5 1/2 was then put in. I don't know. But, it brought back to mind the words from the Gospel from this day. You have to give ALL of yourself to God - not just 1/2, not just 3/4, but ALL. He doesn't deserve anything less.
I know I'm guilty of scheduling everything else first and then figuring out where God can fit into "the rest". I need to schedule God first, then figure out where everything else fits from there. I find that the times where I am having the hardest times are usually the times when I have neglected God the most. He hasn't neglected me - I just haven't taken the time to ask Him for his help.
I like a church sign I saw recently: "If God is your co-pilot, switch seats!" It means to give God the control of your life, put God first in your life, and let Him lead you where he will.
God bless you and Angels watch over you.
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