Nudged

This week's readings are from the first Chapter of Mark...Jesus is calling together the troops. The baptized hear his voice echoing through time and space saying: "You! (YES, YOU, TOO!) Repent...the kingdom of God is at hand...Follow me!"

You and I are part of the motley crew. The reality is, Jesus knows just how mottled and tainted we are. His call begins with repentance...an intense commitment to turn away from all sin that darkens our life. He meets us first at that commitment -- to repent and sin no more. He meets us at whatever sin (wherever we love OUR will more than God) dwells within us. At that point in our being he recognizes us (and loves us) and forgives us. Through grace and the amazing, cleansing power of the Holy Spirit, we can then participate in a life that glorifies the Kingdom of God and point others to it.

There may be some of us who have a lightening bolt experience where we can remember a moment when some sin seemed to be blasted from our menu of attitudes and behaviors....we turned from it in a radical and observable way. Others, (perhaps most of us) felt nudges and pulls...our conscience became clarified and molded through prayer and reflection. Then, somehow we knew that this or that behavior was our "demon"...and we made up our mind and heart to turn away from it, seeking forgiveness and the strength to move on by trusting the transformation unleashed through faith in Christ. When we follow Christ we accept his authority that moves us away from sins that imprison or paralyze us! (he rebukes the "unclean spirits")

Mark 1:21-28

When the sabbath came, Jesus entered the synagogue and taught. They were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. Just then there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, and he cried out, "What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God." But Jesus rebuked him, saying, "Be silent, and come out of him!" And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying with a loud voice, came out of him. They were all amazed, and they kept on asking one another, "What is this? A new teaching--with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him." At once his fame began to spread throughout the surrounding region of Galilee.

Where are you being nudged? How do you experience His call today in your ordinary life, your self determined goals, and your preferred activities? What barrier is before you as you seek to follow Christ today? Incline the ear of your heart...how is He calling for repentance?