I am roaming around France with my husband and a busload of one-time strangers that have now become dear friends. Funny how bus rides can become so endearing. We are retracing the steps of St. Vincent, a saint in the Catholic Church, who faithfully served the homeless and poor. It is upon this principle that my husband’s employer, Seton Hospital, always wants to remain tender. This trip has definitely been a great reminder to examine
“What is my purpose here?”
Saint Vincent remained on course. On target..Not easily swayed away from his goal to serve. Truly admirable, I’ll admit. As soon as he began to experience success (which was frequent), he would hop off and again return to his oath for those less fortunate.
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” Heb 12:1-3
Such dedication and devotion. How does one remain true to the course? I find myself making rapid-fire excuses. I don’t have time. I don’t feel like it. I can do it later. Someone else will do it. I’m not qualified. Someday I will get my life right with God.
But what if that time doesn’t come? What if your hourglass runs out of sand? What then? Will your life have been wasted?
We easily point fingers and dig deep to excuse ourselves from responsibility. Sit. Soak. Sour.
- We SIT. We listen. We hear sermons preached. We read God’s Word.
- We SOAK. We take it in. We ponder how to apply it to our own lives. We determine what changes need to be made.
- We SOUR. We do nothing. We do nothing because it’s hard. It’s time consuming. It’s a path less traveled. Why? Because it sounds like a sacrifice to me.
In all honesty, my heart often tugs me towards comfort & recreation. Little self-indulgences that strangle me. Today I struggle with eating just one more chocolate beignet (after all, I am in France and I deserve it, right?). But little self indulgences reveal a bigger problem. I’m trying to satisfy an insatiable hunger. Turns out, by the next time I sit at the table, I want more. I want to indulge…and despite all the walking, my tight jeans are screaming at the top of their lungs for me to stop. Stop giving in to this voice. One more bite will never be enough.
It will never completely satisfy.
Sit. Soak. Sour….Stop. Stop giving into the voice that leads astray and throws you off course.