God's will can be compared to a hurricane. In the center of God's will is complete calm and peace passing all understanding despite the chaos of circumstances that swirl around us (see Phil 4:7). Likewise, in the eye of a hurricane, there is a remarkable stillness despite the turmoil only a few miles away.
The Israelites were surrounded with severe problems, a hostile army behind, and the impenetrable sea ahead. God sent a strong rushing wind which parted the water. The Israelites walked to safety, only feet from drowning, just barely ahead of the destroying armies. The trick is to stay exactly in the center of God's will. There lies safety and peace.
The Egyptians, however, were not centered in God's will. They experienced the will of God as a tumultous, destructive force. To them, the Lord was a "warrior" (Ex 15:3). St. Paul was once outside God's will. The Lord warned him that resisting His will was like kicking against the goad (Acts 26:14), an act which causes sharp pain to the kicker, but doesn't harm the Lord.
If you're not living according to God's will for your life, repent! Ask for the "strong, driving wind" of the Holy Spirit to blow you out of disaster and into the center of His will (Acts 2:2). Let the wind of the Spirit blow where it will (Jn 3:8). Be swept into a new Pentecost.
| PRAYER: | Father, "Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven" (Mt 6:10). |
| PROMISE: | "Whoever does the will of My heavenly Father is brother and sister and mother to Me." –Mt 12:50 |
| PRAISE: | John has turned down job offers that would have interfered with his ability to adore Jesus in the Eucharist each week. |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College