From the Deacon's Desk

Each day, I reflect upon a word or a phrase inspired by the readings of the day. I encourage you to do the same and perhaps incorporate that word or phrase into your daily prayer.

I will give you a new heart and place a new spirit within you… (Ezekiel 36:23-28)

NEW HEART, NEW SPIRIT: Sometimes when we face difficulties or challenges in life, it takes forever to work through them. Other times, we seem to be wearing armor, similar difficulties or challenges bounce off us.

When I reflect on these times in my life, it is clear what made the difference. It comes down to this: At what point did I invite God into the situation?

The times I found most challenging – the difficulties that seemed to drag on forever – I went into the situation on my own. “I’m a strong, intelligent, independent man,” I said to myself. “I’ll just power through it.” I rejected help offered by my support system; I ignored God’s promise that He would always be there for me.

On the other hand, in the difficult situations when I was quickly able to adapt and overcome, I relied on help from friends and family; I turned to God in my need.

The armor I referred to earlier, that impenetrable resilience, is powered by our heart and our spirit.

Life’s challenges attack our heart and our spirit, attempting to wear down both.

God tells us through the Prophet Ezekiel that He will give us a new heart and a new spirit – not physically new, but breathing new LIFE into each. We simply need to turn to Him in our time of need.

God doesn’t force Himself on anyone, but He is quick to respond when we call out to Him.