HH Pope Shenouda III
Occasions To Seize
By HH Pope Shenouda III
There are important occasions that pass by and one should stop there, not letting it depart easily without taking a decision that would raise his spirituality and his relationship with God.
We mention here:
- The beginning of a New Year or a new year in his life.
- The beginning of a Holy Fast.
- A specific incident that affected him and shook his inside.
- An illness that left him bedridden, thinking about his destiny.
- A serious problem that faced him, so he turned to the Divine help.
- A sermon that he heard or read and it strongly attracted him to God.
All these occasions usually carry the voice of God, who calls with the Apostle saying:
“If you will hear His voice, do not harden you hearts.” Heb. 3:8
These occasions could also carry one of the visits of grace, seeking one’s soul should wake up and heed.
If one received it carelessly or with momentary effect that ends with the end of the occasion, then he will definitely lose spiritual feelings that he might never find again. He will then say in regret, missing God’s voice:
“But my beloved had turned away and was gone. I sought him, but I could not find him.” Song 5:6
Truly! How many occasions passed by without us seizing them?!
How many spiritual revivals God called us to, without us seizing them?
The grace is present, working in us and we do not respond to it. It is really a tragedy, that love between us and God is a one sided love, on God’s side only!
“Therefore you are inexcusable, O man!” Rom. 2:1
Do not say that God has left you and did not send a helping hand to your life with Him. God has talked in your heart repeatedly and you did not hear or respond.
Is He going to force you to love Him?
In your relationship with God, it should be a spontaneous love that does not need such occasions! At least, if this love went to sleep, let us hear on such occasions a voice that wakes it up and if it grew lukewarm, to find what inflames it.
“He who has ears to hear, let him hear!” Matt. 11:15
By HH Pope Shenouda III
There are important occasions that pass by and one should stop there, not letting it depart easily without taking a decision that would raise his spirituality and his relationship with God.
We mention here:
- The beginning of a New Year or a new year in his life.
- The beginning of a Holy Fast.
- A specific incident that affected him and shook his inside.
- An illness that left him bedridden, thinking about his destiny.
- A serious problem that faced him, so he turned to the Divine help.
- A sermon that he heard or read and it strongly attracted him to God.
All these occasions usually carry the voice of God, who calls with the Apostle saying:
“If you will hear His voice, do not harden you hearts.” Heb. 3:8
These occasions could also carry one of the visits of grace, seeking one’s soul should wake up and heed.
If one received it carelessly or with momentary effect that ends with the end of the occasion, then he will definitely lose spiritual feelings that he might never find again. He will then say in regret, missing God’s voice:
“But my beloved had turned away and was gone. I sought him, but I could not find him.” Song 5:6
Truly! How many occasions passed by without us seizing them?!
How many spiritual revivals God called us to, without us seizing them?
The grace is present, working in us and we do not respond to it. It is really a tragedy, that love between us and God is a one sided love, on God’s side only!
“Therefore you are inexcusable, O man!” Rom. 2:1
Do not say that God has left you and did not send a helping hand to your life with Him. God has talked in your heart repeatedly and you did not hear or respond.
Is He going to force you to love Him?
In your relationship with God, it should be a spontaneous love that does not need such occasions! At least, if this love went to sleep, let us hear on such occasions a voice that wakes it up and if it grew lukewarm, to find what inflames it.
“He who has ears to hear, let him hear!” Matt. 11:15
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