A New Season - Men in Motion

                On December 30, a Tuesday, a day of vacation from work, I awoke at 6:05 AM.  Generally Tuesday’s are normal work days.  I’d rise earlier, drive to Bread Co., and meet some men slugging coffee, breaking a pastries, expanding a joke or two, and bridging their lives’ experiences with the coming Sunday’s reading, usually a gospel.  I’d capture a sliver of the conversation until 7:10 before darting to school to challenge and be challenged by a full spectrum of our up and coming professionals.  However, on this particular morning, buried in peace, quiet, and warmth, I hesitated to climb out of bed especially following a late holiday social the evening before.  Wouldn’t it be prudent to simply roll over and go back to sleep on this chilly December morn?  I laid there a bit longer and made the decision … (opportunity provided … the choice?) … to go.   Though late, I joined the conversation already in progress with four other gentlemen.

                Our exchanges seeded with various points of view give the greatest fruits.  Often, I take pause overcome with moments of wisdom to slow myself to reflect … each man’s experience incredibly essential.  I “need” these guys and their perspectives – no “one” ultimately correct including my own (though I like to think it is at times), but together they bring grace, fulfillment, unrest, joy, insight … fertile elements for growth.    

                God touches me through the lives, the actions of these men as I discover my faith.  Spiritual growth does not depend solely on me, but also rests on the individuals, in this case, these men, gifts of the Holy Spirit.  An opportunity offered.  One I acted upon.

We have been asked to have the faith of a child.  “Let the children come to me.  Do not hinder them.  The kingdom of God belongs to such as these.”  Matthew 19:13.  Yet, we forget, we are children! We are invited!

                “Come!” [opportunity] he said.  So Peter got out of the boat [action] and began to walk on the water, moving toward Jesus.  But when he perceived how strong the wind was, becoming frightened, he began to sink [PX-90 7:00 am start? too early, carry-over from late night before, Saturday full family agenda, folks think you’re crazy, don’t share the same ideas with you, buddies think it’s not cool, spouse thinks it’s not cool] and cried out, “Lord, save me!”  Jesus at once stretched out his hand and caught him.  “How little faith you have!” he exclaimed.  [Yet Peter had given up his career to follow Jesus.  How dare Jesus criticize his lack of faith?]  “Why did you falter?”  Once they had climbed into the boat, the wind died down.  [How had Peter grown?  What was this guy … Jesus … expecting?  This is insane.  Am I going to continue to follow this one-man show or go home?]  Matthew 14:29-32.

                When I consider 

Abraham, I think of a child letting go of something he knew and traveling in faith to a foreign land, a promised land into the arms of someone he trusted.  When I taught my daughter to walk, I’d steady her upon her own feet allowing her to balance and catching her as she fell.  As her tiny fingers clutched my thumbs, she’d giggle and waddle forward as I’d shuffle my feet beside her.  Eventually with independence, she’d start toward me, me out in front awaiting her.  She’d fall and I’d encourage her cutting our distance of separation.  She’d start again and fall again.  “You’re so close!  Come on!  Come to daddy!  You can do it!”  Clapping, I’d cheer.  Then suddenly, staggering, here she’d come, rolls of baby fat jiggling, drooling with excitement leaving me speechless as she cleared half a dozen steps.  Rolling her into my lap we’d tumble into laughter. 

                I didn’t walk beside her, I stood out in front of her stretching my arms to cut the distance between us keeping just enough ahead she had to continue to take steps toward me.  Had I been too far away, she’d never have taken the steps or tried for a short distance and quit.  But I wanted her to walk to move forward … to be in motion … and she did!  So it is with Christ!  So it was with Peter.

                Time introduces a new season, for us … the wee nippers on the awkward path of life … the children of God … to take steps forward toward the Father.  He is out in front, arms outstretched. 

                Like Abraham … like Peter … like your children in faith, we are invited to leave behind who we are for who we might become.  Spiritual journeys induce restlessness, a blessed restlessness that cannot be settled but shared in community.  Danish philosopher and theologian, Soren Kierkegaard added, “He who has settled down has ceased to be a believer, because a believer cannot sit still – a believer travels forward in faith.”  Otherwise, we remain immature in our faith. 

What’s it gonna be for you?  Some of the same old … or … a new season … man in motion?

Get out of your boat and walk the stormy seas.  Sure you’re gonna sink some, but men in motion and the Father will never let you drown!

PS.  For women who may be reading this, I apologize for the male bias as we move into an open invitation to men for the new season of PX-90 opening on Saturday Sept. 26^th in the upper cafeteria, 7:00 AM at Holy Infant.  However (and these do include women) if PX-90 is not for you, you may be interested in the upcoming Serve St. Louis (October 10^th), CHRP, and so many others I fail to mention here.