So, I have really slacked off in posting, haven't I? What better time to return than Advent! Advent not only marks the beginning of the liturgical year in the life of the Church, but it also brings hopeful anticipation as we await our long-expected Savior. Advent is a call of renewal and conversion, a return to God. Perfect timing, eh?
Well, I'm still a week late, but that's neither here nor there.
We are all called to this conversion, no matter where you are in you walk with Christ. And boy, am I ever aware of this in the current season of life. I, like millions of people all over, have been in the midst of inner turmoil for several months. Bombarded by the weight of this weary world, the familiar fog of depression rolled in. I knew to whom I needed to turn, but still, I felt separated from the Lord.
You've heard of writers' block? Well, I had prayers' block.
Every time I sat down to talk to God, nothing happened. I was lost, but I had no words to express this. So what would I have posted? I couldn't write something like, "overcoming your depression through prayer", or "four simple steps to spiritual happiness", because it felt like a lie. I thought, "If I can't connect with Jesus right now, how could I possibly speak about His Love?"
As it always happens with God, Advent came just in time. In today's New Testament reading, Phillipians 1:6, St Paul tells us:
Well, I'm still a week late, but that's neither here nor there.
We are all called to this conversion, no matter where you are in you walk with Christ. And boy, am I ever aware of this in the current season of life. I, like millions of people all over, have been in the midst of inner turmoil for several months. Bombarded by the weight of this weary world, the familiar fog of depression rolled in. I knew to whom I needed to turn, but still, I felt separated from the Lord.
You've heard of writers' block? Well, I had prayers' block.
Every time I sat down to talk to God, nothing happened. I was lost, but I had no words to express this. So what would I have posted? I couldn't write something like, "overcoming your depression through prayer", or "four simple steps to spiritual happiness", because it felt like a lie. I thought, "If I can't connect with Jesus right now, how could I possibly speak about His Love?"
As it always happens with God, Advent came just in time. In today's New Testament reading, Phillipians 1:6, St Paul tells us:
"I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work in you will continue to complete it until the day of Christ Jesus."
Yes, I am a neurotic mess who is prone to panic attacks and depression. But St. Paul reminded me that I am Christ's work-in-progress. He's nowhere near finished with me yet. In fact, He'll be working on me until the day I meet Him face to face.
We are sinners who lose our way from time to time. We need that call to conversion to renew our communion with Christ, to get back on track, as it were. True conversion requires us to recognize our own limitations and that we need the help of the Lord. I am #grateful for a Father who knows this about me, a Savior who isn't finished with me yet.
We are sinners who lose our way from time to time. We need that call to conversion to renew our communion with Christ, to get back on track, as it were. True conversion requires us to recognize our own limitations and that we need the help of the Lord. I am #grateful for a Father who knows this about me, a Savior who isn't finished with me yet.