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. 26th 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 10th), CHRP, and
so many others I fail to mention here.
