Lambs Among Wolves
Do You Want Jesus on Your Own Terms?
The more I go through life, the more I realize that most people of this day and age want Jesus on their own terms. Their will be done, not Thy will be done.
They want a Jesus that fits their political views, lifestyle, career, morals, dreams, and comfort. A Jesus that doesn’t require them to make much change in their life.
I think there’s a deep lesson in Jesus’ words “follow me” which continually show up in the Gospels. Following Jesus requires just that: following Him, His words and His actions, for what they are and not what we want them to be.
When we go to Church on Sunday and forget the lesson on Monday and when we hear a Gospel passage and we think to ourselves “I can’t do that,” “I don’t want to do that,” “I don’t believe that,” “I don’t think that applies to me,” "That's too hard," or anything that starts with “Yes, but” -- those are resistance signals that we want Jesus on our own terms and not on His.
Think of your own life. What is one Gospel challenge God has asked of you recently that you keep resisting? A challenge that has you saying one of these phrases? What are your terms and then what are God’s? Maybe there's a disconnect you need to look at.
About the Author
Katie Zalany lives in Cleveland Ohio. She is a Third Order Secular Franciscan (OFS), spiritual director, benefits/wellness leader, and certified health and life coach. She volunteers with St. Vincent de Paul Society serving the poor, is an active mentor to many individuals, and a prolific writer. Her writing interests and focus areas include spiritual development, reflections on the Gospel life, Franciscian spirituality, prayer, and integration of faith and work/daily living. She is the published author of Called to Corporate: Lessons of Growing in Faith and Holiness from the Corporate Cubicle.
