Being Resolute

Diligence and resolve are so necessary in each of our journeys. Many of us have a sense of what it is that God desires of us, but it is a different matter to do it.

Like a task that seems too large, we put it off and find reasons, valid reasons, why it needs to wait. We are ill-equipped to begin it right now, much less see it through. We have no time. We aren't in the place we ought to be before tackling something like that. We have no energy to give. With a shift that large, we need to plan, study, and ease into it. Yet somehow, our conditions for beginning never seem to solidify.

We reason with the demand that we feel upon us. We reason with our conscience that we are being wise and that the decision to act must wait. Unfortunately, our conscience can only endure so much neglect. The Holy Spirit will only endure so many reasonable excuses before allowing us to go our own way.

Is it any wonder then that so many of us can't hear the Holy Spirit moving us to do, to change, and to be? We've ignored Him so much, asked Him quietly to leave us alone so many times that He has politely acquiesced to our request.

He is waiting though. He is waiting for you to come back and ask. Ask Him what it is that He wanted you to do or be last year, two years ago, five years ago. Ask Him to speak to you like he did when your faith was young. Ask Him to open your heart to change, to give you the strength to obey and to learn again to see and hear His movement in your conscious self.

It may take some time. Your ears have become muffled and your eyes dim, atrophied from neglect. Be patient with yourself. Be resolute in your pursuit of hearing from Him and submitting. 

If you will learn again to listen and obey, you will never regret it. The change that God wants for you is change that brings you toward fulfillment, toward satisfaction, contentment, joy and knowing who you are as a unique person, presented to your creator and valued in ways you have ever known before.

~ T. Brygger

Cowardice and time always find a reason for not hurrying, for saying, '"Not today, but tomorrow", whereas God in heaven and the eternal say: "Do it today. Now is the day of salvation." The eternal refrain of decision is: "today, today.'" But cowardice holds back, holds up. If only cowardice would appear in all its baseness, one could recognize it for what it is and fight it immediately.

~ Søren Kierkegaard