Going Home

winding road

“Going home is a lifelong journey. There are always parts of ourselves that wander off in dissipation or get stuck in resentment. Before we know it we are lost in lustful fantasies or angry ruminations. Our night dreams and daydreams often remind us of our lostness.

Spiritual disciplines such as praying, fasting and caring are ways to help us return home. As we walk home we often realise how long the way is. But let us not be discouraged. Jesus walks with us and speaks to us on the road. When we listen carefully we discover that we are already home while on the way” (Henri Nouwen).

That’s what really matters in the end.

I’m headed toward my real home and Jesus is the one who’ll help me get there.

This journey is where Jesus walks with us and speaks to us. In fact, Jesus Himself said that knowing Him is the journey. He said that He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

He didn’t say that He knew the way.

He didn’t even say that He was an expert in the knowledge about the way.

He said He is THE way.

There is no other way because no other god ever took on human flesh and became one of us. No other god willingly laid down his life for us in order that we might escape the punishment we deserved.

Sometimes, the way seems long and hard. Many of us sometimes feel like we will never get to the place we want to be or become the persons we feel we should have been all along.

Rest easy, my friends.

Jesus promised that even though the road was narrow and few find it, He would be there.

Jesus promised that His yoke would be easy and His burden light.

Jesus promised that He would finish that great work He started in you.

He promised to never leave or forsake you.

When Jesus is with you, you truly are already home while you’re on the road home.

 

26 Pounds Later

As of my last doctor’s appointment, I’ve lost 26 pounds. Then I went on vacation and gained 20 back.

Actually, I think I’m still fairly close to my pre-vacation weight. Why am I telling you this?

Because all it took for me was giving up carbonated beverages and committing to a regular exercise regimen.

It will be 6 months tomorrow since I’ve had my last soda. Or as we in the south call all soft drinks, a coke. I do crave the taste from time to time, but I don’t miss them (and I feel way better).

I’ve been alternating jogging and bike riding lately at least 4 times a week. Regardless of whether my stomach is as flat as I want it to be, I feel better and I’m in better shape physically than I’ve been in for a long, long time.

It didn’t take a major overhaul of my lifestyle. All it took was changing one habit at a time.

I think that goes for the spiritual life as well. You don’t have to immediately adapt the monastic lifestyle where you’re up at 4 am to pray for 4 hours. You don’t have to start by memorizing the entire Gospel of John. You just have to start somewhere.

I do believe that discipline in one area bleeds into disciplines in other areas. What I mean is that if you’re disciplined when it comes to physical things, it’s much easier to develop spiritual disciplines. It’s all interconnected.

I don’t say these things to say “Look at me and how awesome I am,” but for you to see that if I can do it, so can you. So can anybody.