When you hear of something that sounds too good to be true, are you skeptical? I know I am. But skepticism is okay because it typically means, show me! I want to understand. The cynic on the other hand has no interest in anything you have to say and prefers to antagonize.
So a question I have for you is, would you like to know how to make life dramatically better?
First, let me put out there the reason to consider this question and the answer to the question. It is said that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. Sometimes the painful reality to consider is for us to understand that to see changes in our lives we have to first make changes in our lives.
Hopefully, we all look to make our life and the lives of our loved ones better. I heard it said that “people are like fruit. If we stop growing we start rotting.” So we should always keep moving forward in growing and hopefully making a difference and becoming dramatically better.
We all have a free will to make changes. However, sometimes when we see the personal cost of realizing those changes we desire, we then will to do nothing different. We may take on the “settle-for” disease, meaning we then settle for less. To get significant benefits as we hope for we sometimes think we are personally unable to change enough. We may also think that the changes required are too disruptive to how we currently live and we are not willing to do that. We may think it will just take too long to make that happen therefore it can’t happen. Our issue is a matter of self-reliance.
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13). This is a reality for every believer who will embrace Jesus with all their heart.
Recently I heard it put this way. Imagine that you are in a boat rowing towards your goal. To me that image is one of hard work and exhaustion but we shall persevere, right?. But with God’s grace our boat now has a hoisted sail that will take us where we could not go by ourselves. Hence, the difference is dramatically improving our life and consequently, the lives of others, thanks be to God! But where are we going?
Consider someone you know who is always joy filled no matter their circumstances. How does that happen? My sense is that person is filled with the joy of our God. I have observed people like that who have completely opened their heart and soul to God and have total trust in Him. It is too easy to say I trust God but to draw Him into our lives totally and look to Him in every aspect of our lives is very different.
What reminders do we put before ourselves to draw us into that spiritual disposition? Do our morning prayers call us to that complete openness? “I love the Lord our God with all my heart, all my mind, all my soul and all my strength.”
Do we do a personal examen every day internally reviewing where we stumbled and what we will do better in loving our “neighbor”? Do we have conversations all day long with Jesus drawing Him into our activities and sharing our thoughts with Him? Do we go to Mass regularly and receive Jesus in the Eucharist?
I have a grandson who wears that quote, ““I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13). What works for you that encourages you to continue to put up the sail and draw on God’s graces?
A blessed friend who passed recently would upon receiving any compliment say, “The good you see in me is the He you see in me.” Jesus was always in her heart and in her mind and you couldn’t depart from her without her saying a prayer for you. Her humility was inspiring as she always gave God all the glory and she was always at peace because of her trust of Him.
How is it possible to make our lives dramatically better? It is by throwing the doors of our heart and soul wide open to Jesus. Letting Him freely work through us is how we gain the highest level of freedom in our lives. Yes we have a free will but aligning with God’s free will is where freedom truly exists. That is how we Shine like the Son! God bless you.
