Breaking Down Walls

Last Wednesday was the first session of faith formation.  As we worked through the first class of the year, the moments of quiet were few and far between.  Most of the students just kept talking and having side conversations.  Eventually, we began working through the first lesson in “Encounter: Discovering Jesus”, which is an exercise/experience provided by the Diocesan Office of Discipleship Formation.  It is meant to be a reflective experience that shares the core message of the Gospel.  And as this first lesson of the reflective experience unfolded, I was amazed at how God so clearly revealed Himself.  How often do we find ourselves forgetting the power of God, especially in the small, ordinary moments of our days?  Do we remember that God is working, even if it’s hard for us to see?

Teaching eighth graders, it can sometimes feel like talking to a brick wall.  Are they really hearing anything that is said?  Do they even care?  So many of the students seem to be so resistant to faith and God in general.  The first lesson we worked on that night was “God is love and has created me for relationship with Him.”  The class went through the scripture passage and the guided reflection questions.  Then, we made it to the song.  As the song played, they were asked to reflect on a letter from God.  The letter detailed God’s love for each of them individually.  They continued to talk during this part of the exercise.  But what happened after is what convinced me that even if it seems like they are not listening to what I say, they are hearing what God wants to say to them.  There were a wide range of reactions and emotions to this portion of the exercise and I truly believe that they were being hit with the realization of the deep love God has for each one of them, whether or not they wanted to accept it.

I looked up towards the end of the song as one of the girls was crying, asking if she could leave to go to the restroom.  I didn’t know what was happening at first, but felt moved to pray before dismissing her from the room.  In these next moments, the room was silent.  For the first time in the whole class period, every single student was quiet.  Everyone suddenly stopped with the distractions and extra conversations and turned their focus away from themselves and to their classmate.  God broke through their resistance in those moments, as the class lifted up the girl in prayer.  They opened up their hearts and allowed God to use them.

Maybe you have family members, friends, co-workers, or neighbors who are resistant to faith, the church, and a relationship with God.  God’s love can touch and soften the hardest of hearts.  If we don’t believe this, we are doubting the power of His love.  Continue to share God with others and just know that He will reveal Himself.  
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God is more powerful than we can even imagine and will draw others nearer to Himself.  Trust that He has the power to break down walls that people have put up around their hearts.  All in His own time and in His own ways.