Tuesday, May 20, 2008

In Our Weakness...

This is one that has always been comforting, yet hard to fathom.

In our weakness, He is strongest.  What does this mean - and how can it be.

I guess the secular phrase that comes to mind is, "When the going gets tough, the tough get going."  And who is "tougher" than our God?

The other day a friend of mine sent an e-mail that said, "When you feel the devil knocking at your door, just say - 'hey, Jesus, can you get that?'"

Our defenses weaken in times of stress, anger, bitterness, resentment, tiredness.  It's hard to fight the good fight when we have taken blow after blow.

I remember those "Rocky" movies.  Just when he was battered and bloodied, and almost on his knees, that's when he's start whuppin' up on the bad guy.  He somehow found the energy to get off just one more punch.  

We need to find that energy in Christ.  There are so many times - weekly, daily, hourly - when we are about to crumple to the ground... beaten by sin.  Let the Lord lift you up.  Ask Him for help.  It is His energy - His Holy Spirit - that will allow you to fight back.

He will lift you on His shoulders and carry you victorious to His dwelling place.  Rely on Him.  Rely on Him.  RELY on Him.

Wednesday, May 7, 2008

I've Fallen and I Can Get Up!

I am a lowly sinner.

We all say that to ourselves.  And we all know it is a reality.  But our response to that reality separates a simple man from a Real Man.

A simple man continues to sit on the couch, flipping channels and maybe attending Mass half-heartedly - saying to himself, "Well, I'm just a sinner.  Woe is me.  Guess there's nothing I can do about it."

A Real Man gets off his feeling-sorry-for-himself behind and says, "Yes, I'm a sinner.  But that's not ALL that I am!  I am a child of God, given the Grace of reconciliation and renewal through the power of the Holy Spirit.  I will battle my sinful ways to the death, and - God willing - to everlasting life."

As humans we fail.  We stumble.  We fall.  But do we lay there and moan, or do we get up and move on with The Father before us?

I am as guilty as anyone of wallowing in my sinfulness.  But my wallowing (with the help of God) gets shorter and further between.  I am indeed an new creation in Christ.  I will carry my cross.  When I fall, or am being beaten by the whips of sin, He always has a hand outstretched.

The real question is: Do we reach for it or reject it?

Real Men persevere.  Not on there own, but with help.   Real Men reach for the Hand of The Savior.  

Reach out.  Get up.  Be whole!