Can We Take What We Have Set Aside for Our Planned Future, and Instead Commit It Today for the Passion of Loving Jesus?
Is the life we have planned different from the one that has been given to us? The life we have planned is but a dream, while the one that has been given to us is real. It is real in that we can take action toward it; it is a dream in that it is not real until we make it so. It is a dream because we have not yet claimed it. We have not yet committed to being, doing, and having what it takes to bring it to pass.
We can take what we have set aside for our planned future, and instead commit it today for the passion of loving Jesus. We can begin by making a list of those things (our passions) that we have given up on in order to pursue our planned future. Once we have acknowledged the specific things we have given up on, we can make a list of the other things we can commit to today for the passion of loving Jesus.
What Do You Have Set Aside for Your Planned Future?
The things you have set aside for your planned future are the results of your past decisions. If you decide to start a business, then you have set aside time for studying business and for working toward your future business goals. You may have even saved money to start your business. You have set aside time for your kids’ activities, your retirement plans, and other necessities. You have set aside time for the people and things that are most valuable to you. But have you set aside time for the one thing that would give you the greatest return? Jesus!
What Can You Commit Today for the Passion of Loving Jesus?
In our Gospel lesson this coming Sunday, Mary anoints Jesus with expensive oil. Oil that cost nearly a year's salary. This is an extravagant expression of love, faith, loyalty, and dedication to Jesus, who is with them now. What can we commit? How can we show such love and devotion?
Some of the things you can commit to for the passion of loving Jesus are the things you can do and the amount of time you can devote to them. You can commit to showing up for your body by eating healthy, getting enough sleep, and taking care of your physical health. You can also commit to spending time in silent prayer, reading your Bible, and connecting with friends who share your faith. You can commit to spending time with the people you love the most.
You can also commit to showing up for your soul by filling your heart with gratitude, love, joy, and all the other good things in life. You can take a pause from the comparisons that weigh you down and instead focus on what you have to be grateful for. You can also fill your heart with the passion to serve, love, and give to others.
You can commit to showing up for your time by scheduling regular time for your passions and for rest. You can also schedule time for the people and things that are most important to you.
You can also commit to showing up for your relationships by speaking words of affirmation to those around you, making time for face-to-face conversations, and sending handwritten notes.
You can commit to showing up for your life by making a decision to do something different, to step out of your comfort zone, and to take a risk.
This all nourishes the Body of Christ and are actions of devotion much like Mary.
Why Now?
You may have heard this question before when considering making a change in your life. “Why now?” is a question that could be asked in many different contexts. It could be asked regarding your relationship with money, your health, your career, or your relationships with others. “Why now?” is a question that everyone can answer for themselves. The reasons may vary, but why Jesus? Why such an extravagant devotion? Why now? Because in a world full of wars and destruction, you are called upon and needed now. Be faithful and love your God with all of your heart, soul, and mind.
Blessings in Christ,
Mo. Allison+
Almighty God, who has shown us in the life and teaching of your Son the true way of blessedness, you have also shown us in his suffering and death that the path of love may lead to the Cross, and the reward of faithfulness may be a crown of thorns. Give us grace to learn these hard lessons. May we take up our Cross and follow Christ, in the strength of patience and the constancy of faith; and may we have such fellowship with him in sorrow, that we may know the secret of his strength and peace and see even in our darkest hour of trial and anguish, the shining of eternal light. Amen.
