Today we read about St Claude de la Colombiere in the book In Caelo et in Terra. God called Claude to become a priest when he was just a young teenager. He resisted the call at first, but then finally submitted to God's will and became a Jesuit. Later in his life he was instrumental in helping the church to understand and accept the idea of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. You can read more about him here and about the Sacred Heart here.
But what I want to focus on is Claude's reluctance to do what God called him to. He's in good company, of course. Jonah ran from God's will until he was basically forced to do it. He was probably the most reluctant prophet that God ever used, and was miffed about the whole thing all the way up to the last verse of his book. St Augustine asked God to make him holy, but "not yet." He wanted to sow some wild oats before he became boring as a saint. And of course C.S. Lewis was, in his own words, "dragged kicking and screaming into the kingdom of God, the most reluctant convert in all of England."
Of course, all four of them were foolish to think this. God isn't trying to steal our fun or our joy in calling us to do His will. He is, in fact, calling us to do THE THING that will bring us the greatest joy and happiness possible. We will find no deeper meaning that in doing what He calls us to.
Are you resisting what He wants you to do? Ask Him to help you. He'll give you what you need to come around to doing the thing He wants you to. And you'll be glad you did.
God, thanks for calling us, and for being patient when we balk. St Claude de la Colombiere, pray for us.
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