Trying To Figure It Out

It seems we’re always trying to figure life out. I’ve spent a good chunk of my life in the scriptures and the teachings of the Catholic Church, in words from encyclicals and the Catechism, from the teachings of the saints and other holy men and women….  trying to understand the things of God. At various times in my journey, it can seem that I’m starting to figure life out; at other times, it seems I don’t have anything figured out. 

Sometimes a single event can tend to color the whole landscape. I can make a 3 pointer, tell a funny joke, give a good talk, and all of a sudden I’m a Renaissance Man, aka “a person who has wide interests and is expert in several areas.” On the other hand I can trip going up the stairs, forget the name of my dog, need to plan my trips around the available bathrooms, and all of a sudden I’m a DOLT, aka “chucklehead, dingleberry, boob.”  Hmmmmm.

So Dave, where are we going with this BLOG … what’s the point here. Well, I think it’s important to not jump to conclusions. Don’t color your life as “great or lousy”  based on a small sample size. Especially don’t allow a “slip or fall” in your journey with Christ cause you to throw in the towel. 

I was recently struck by the familiar readings from Revelations 3  where the Lord lands very hard on the “lukewarm”, those not “hot or cold”. In addition to saying he will spit them out of his mouth, he describes them as wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, naked.” Wow, that’s about as bad as it gets. It seems the verdict is in and the lukewarm are doomed. Yet he goes on to say “those whom I love, I reprove and chastise…. be earnest, therefore and repent… behold, I stand and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, then I will enter in and dine with him, and he with me. I will give the victor the right to sit with me on my throne…”. (Rev. 3:1-22)

The scriptures are full of examples where Almighty God rescues the worst of sinners. He challenges them in their sinfulness in no uncertain terms, but he then offers them mercy and forgiveness and wonderful promises. The lukewarm go from being vomited out of the Lord’s mouth to dining with him and joining him on his kingly throne…. if they  listen to him and change.

When we are convicted of our poor decisions, of our sins and are feeling down and out, don’t despair and quit. We must turn to the Lord and ask for forgiveness and mercy and he will restore us. And the great thing is he will not just return us to our earlier state, he will bring us up to his state, to his heavenly banquet and throne. God’s love is truly amazing. God’s love is very good news.