St. Stephen by Luis de Morales
In v. 51, though, he turns a corner. He begins to chastise his audience for resisting the Holy Spirit, for thwarting God's movement in their lives.
In looking at Stephen's speech, we talked about the movie A Man Called Ove, the story of a man whose experienced so much heartache and trouble that he's giving up on life. He wants to return the ticket. Ove is, I believe, an important study on why it can be hard to keep trusting God and to let God lead us.
Where do you sense God inviting you to "follow him"? As you think about going in this direction with Jesus, what feelings do you have? Excitement? Freedom? Worry? Hesitation?
St. Ignatius talks about three different "persons." Person number one is like the rich young man in the Gospels. Person number one likes the idea of following God, but finds it just too demanding or scary to let go.
Person number two is willing to try something new, but this person is like Peter walking on water. Person number two takes a few steps of trust in trying out a "new way," but feels inadequate or overwhelmed by it all. Person number two often resorts back to the more comfortable life.
Finally, person number three is "completely free" to let God take them wherever, to serve whomever. Person number three is radically free. Person number three says "yes" to God and to the Spirit's leading.
It's very rare for us to become person number three, although that is always our goal. We long to be "free" so that God can use us whenever, however.
More often, we are more like person number one or two. It's not about beating ourselves up over this reality or getting down. The goal is to keep asking God for the courage to try again.
Where, in your life, do you feel like person number one?
Person number two?
Person number three?
There are a few reasons why we find it hard to be fully free.
One, as fallen people, we cling to earthly "attachments" for security. Money, possessions, our status, a certain way of "doing things" become part of how we maintain safety and a sense of having control.
What things do you feel insulate you from hearing Jesus' invitation to "follow him"? Can you offer up a prayer where you just tell Jesus that you are relying on these things?
Two, letting God lead us isn't always easy. In fact, to let God lead us "into the way of Christ" means venturing into places and situations that are "costly."
This seems to be the lesson from the story of Ove. Life was becoming terribly hard for him to swallow. It seemed "bitter" like what Jesus experienced on the cross. In such moments, we might long to be done with letting God leads us. It can taste like death.
Try giving God the honesty of your heart, letting God know how difficult this is for you. Sometimes, it helps too to find friends, counselors and spiritual guides with whom we can share the painful moments of our journey as a follower.
Close with a prayer this week:
Good and gracious God, I know that your deepest desires for me are for fullness of life, for comfort and for rest. But, Lord, sometimes the journey seems so difficult. I hear about the stories of Abraham and Sarah, and it's scary to think how long they had to sit in the posture of "waiting." I hear about the story of the people in the wilderness, and it scares me to think about not having much earthly security or comfort. Jesus, please remind me that you will walk with me down this road, that you will not forsake me. Help me to walk by faith, and catch me when I fall. Amen.
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