Actually ate more vegetables today then soy products.
On my break at work, I read through 1 John. Short book, but SO good. Talks a lot about the love that we are called to practice as Christians. Sacrificial, occasionally painful, definitely worth it.
1 John 2:28 "And now, children, remain in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not be put to shame by him at his coming."
- The notes I read in my Bible explained this a little more. Like we must base our faith on Christ's gift of love, and have confidence that we are His. God sees more in us then we see in ourselves. And there will be times (like coming off a retreat high) when we don't feel the warm and fuzzy of our faith, when you'll need to keep praying even if you don't think God is responding (because He is, you just can't hear it). So we must "remain in Him." Keep praying, keep receiving Christ in the Eucharist, keep loving, and keep trying to build your relationship with him.
1 John 1:5 "God is light, and in him is no darkness at all." God is not capable of darkness. So that must mean that all His actions, the things that he will to happen, and the things that he allow to happen, are good. Even when we don't understand his actions, or his plan, they are still good. Because God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. God does not desire our unhappiness, God does not desire our pain, or our destruction. Our times of suffering, times of pain, are purposeful. What could God be revealing in suffering, yours or mine?
- I just remembered a chapter in Max Lucado's book that I was reading today. It talks about God whispering to us, "If you only knew." It compares his actions and our commit to Christ to fire and light. He tells a story about a man who brings fire to those who are living in darkness and cold. At first they are all hesitant of the fire, because the light hurts their eyes. To which the stranger (see: Christ) replies, "Light always hurts at first." (Paraphrased) Then a few of the people try to step towards the fire, and see that it is warm (-> good). Some of them refuse, and choose to stay in the darkness that they know and are comfortable with then move towards something better. How often are we like this. A change might be painful at first, but then we will realize the good that comes of it. A move, an end to a relationship, a challenge. All seemingly painful, but ultimately leave us better then we were before. "If you only knew." If we only knew who God truly is, and what His plan for us is, and how wonderful life with Him can be, then we would run full force towards him. Regardless of pain, hesitance, and self-doubt.
We must remain in Him, confident that He will lead us where we need to go. He is not a passenger, he is the pilot.
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