“What you see and what you hear depends a great deal on where you are standing. It also depends on what sort of person you are.” —C. S. Lewis
I am sure that I missed many opportunities to see and hear what the Lord was showing me or trying to tell me. Little, subtle signs that I never realized were all around me. I was so wrapped up in my own self-centered world that I was failing to see the signs I was being shown or the messages that were being sent to me. Not everyone is lucky enough to witness a “burning bush” or “parting of the Red Sea”. Unfortunately, for me, that “Wake Up!” sign was the death of Evan.
I was blind and deaf to the signs and calling that God was revealing to me. I was not standing in the right place spiritually. I was heading in the wrong direction, a lost traveler, wandering from the guided path. I needed to get back on track and follow the correct route and remain there, heading in the direction I should have been going all along. I had the preconceived notions that I was living as I should be, doing what I was supposed to do, and to some extent, I was. But the fact of the matter is, I was only partially there.
Like a scrimmage at the first practice of the off-season, I was going through the motions. The drive and desire was not fully there because I was not fully in the game whole-heartedly. I went into it thinking I was better than I actually was. I had been on the team for a while and thought I had it made. I’m doing awesome, I got this. Any coach who knows his players and what they are capable of doing, also knows the potential in those players and can see when they are not giving it their all. Well, the coach blew his whistle and stopped practice. He called me to the side and said, ” As you know, we have lost an important leader on our team. He has graduated now and moved on to better things. It’s time for you to step up. I can see the potential within you. Your teammates will be looking to you for guidance and strength. But no more half-hearted efforts. I want you fully committed, 100% to the team. I know you can do this, or I would not have pulled you to the side to have this talk. I need you to be a leader on this team. So tell me son…Where Do You Stand?”
Evan was called home. I attended Manresa and received my pep talk. The new season has begun. I saw where I was standing and realized where I needed to be.
Let us pray. Lord, as we go through this game of life, open our eyes and ears to see your signs and hear your calls. Give us guidance to set our feet in the right direction, heading on the correct path. Grant us the strength to be leaders of Your team and inspire others to join with us. Most of all, Lord, help us to come to the realization of where we must stand to better live our lives and glorify You until our season ends. In Your Name we pray. AMEN.
God Bless You All,
You Are In My Prayers,
Scott
