My kids love playing video games and enjoy their screen time, but they push back when I say it’s time to stop. I ask them to do many things they don’t like, yet I do it because it helps them grow. They’d rather talk with food in their mouths or race across the street without looking. If I let those habits continue, they would only lead to trouble.
The message of Jesus is love, but love can also be tough. We rejoice in hearing how deeply He loves and forgives us, yet He also calls us to follow His commands. I don’t give my kids rules to punish them, and Jesus doesn’t either.
The standards Jesus sets for us clash with the world’s, and that clash creates conflict and division. Jesus didn’t come to affirm the way we already live; He came to transform it into something greater. We must choose: follow the world and remain unfulfilled, or follow God and discover a deeper meaning to life that will lead us to eternal happiness.
The reading from Hebrews this weekend speaks powerfully: “Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us rid ourselves of every burden and sin that clings to us and persevere in running the race that lies before us while keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus the leader and perfecter of faith.” We will always win the race if we keep our eyes fixed on Christ. When we focus on worldly things, and let our attention drift from God, we risk losing our way.
If we hope to follow Jesus home to Heaven, we must first know what He asks of us. Knowing what we should do is the easy part. The hard part is actually following through. It may take a lifetime of practice, but the reward is beyond measure. Let’s open ourselves to God’s refining fire so He can burn away our imperfections and unite us to Himself in perfect joy.
