Life as we know it....

Sometimes I am surprised, when reality breaks through in my life, and I see that what I thought to be true, in fact, is not. Many times, not even close.

I have heard many people say something along the lines of "it's not what happens to us that causes problems, but how we interpret what happens to us."

I think there is a certain truth in that. How many of us carry old wounds and lies about God, ourselves and life from our younger years (or even more recently) ? Perhaps someone dies in our life or something very bad happens to us, and as tragic as that is, we often compound the sorrow and darkness by believing the lies that are conveniently placed before us that God isn't good, that He doesn't love us, that we are "damaged goods" etc. - all of these are lies, but many times we make them our reality.

In fact, it seems to me that life is a journey of discovering the truth, wholeness, holiness- integration. As we truly disciple Jesus, we come to be like Him- an authentic, full human being. Jesus came that we might have life and have it to the FULL, not partially or kind-of. Jesus didn't suffer and die upon the Cross to give us coping skills for this life on earth. He suffered and died for us to set us free- in the fullness of mercy and redemption.

True discipleship is not an exterior "show"- like Jesus speaks of to the Pharisees in this week's Gospels. True discipleship is a transformation into Jesus, in mercy, humility and the strength and grace that comes from God.

Life as we know it?

I want to know Him.