Through the Window

Last week at work I locked myself out of my office.  Once I figured out that my keys were sitting on my desk and I really was locked out, I realized that there was only one way to get back in.  I would have to crawl through my sliding glass window.  This window is quite high from the ground and I knew it would not be easy to get in.  However, I could not just sit there and do nothing.  My immediate thoughts were, “What if someone walks past as I’m trying to boost myself up into the window?  This is going to be a bit uncomfortable.  What if I fall?”  I pushed those thoughts aside and reminded myself that if I wanted to get in, I had to just go for it.  When it comes to our faith, how often do we have some of these same thoughts?  “What will others think when they see me practicing and living out my faith?  This might be uncomfortable.  What if I do something and I fall?”  Living out our faith as Christians/Catholics is not a walk in the park.  There are obstacles and times when we will be required to step out of our comfort zones.  We will fall and have to get back up.  If we want to strive to grow in holiness and grow closer to Jesus, we have to just go for it.

To what lengths would you go to completely surrender everything to the Lord and to follow Him wholeheartedly?  I often think I am going all in when it comes to being a disciple.  But then, I stop to reflect and realize that I am clinging to comfort, familiarity, and spiritual mediocrity.  Are we satisfied with who who are and where we are at in our relationship with God?  Are we content to just settle in and slide by, not putting in much effort?  Do we think our faith is strong enough or that as Catholics, we are “good enough”?

What are we doing to grow?  Do we let fears, worries, excuses, or the opinions of others get in the way?  We must not just stand still and expect to get somewhere.  It is only when we remember that the path will not always be easy and comfortable that our faith will be greater, our trust stronger, and our love for God deeper.  
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When it comes to our faith, there will be challenges and obstacles.  If we want to experience more depth and real growth in our faith, we will have to step outside of our comfort zones.  And that means it will not be as simple as walking through an open door.  At times, we may have to crawl through the window.  It is when we crawl through the windows that we will be able to rise up higher, to the places God is calling us to.