one way or the other

Lewis talks to us about becoming one thing or another in A Year with C.S. Lewis today.

He says that with every little decision we make, we are either becoming saints or we're becoming monsters. And, as you know, you make little decisions toward one or the other each day. If you're anything like me, you make steps toward both each day. When I decide to spend time with my hurting friend who isn't very pleasant to talk to, I'm inching toward being who He created me to be. When I choose to indulge in selfishness and ignore the pain I see around me, I inch in the other direction.

But God isn't calling us to become saints overnight, is He? He is calling us to walk the road before us. To shoulder our cross, yes. But that doesn't mean getting crucified just yet. I means continuing down our road, even when it's hard. Even when it hurts. Being there for each other when they need someone to talk to.

There are joys and sorrows along the way. Even in one 24 hour period, we go from one to the other. And as Rich Mullins sang, with these our hells and our heavens so few inches apart, we must be awfully small and not as strong as we think we are.

Thankfully, God IS as strong as we think He is. And far stronger. If we knew His strength, and more importantly, the strength of His love for us... we would cast ourselves fearlessly into His arms. That's the kind of faith He's looking for... the kind that is "anxious for nothing, but in EVERYTHING, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, makes its requests known to God."

And when we do that... when we cast ourselves completely into His care... then the peace of God which passes all our understanding will guard our hearts and our minds.

Even so, Lord, come quickly.

God, thank You for being so powerful in Your love for us. Help us to walk, even with baby steps, into Your faithful arms.