In every story of Moses, we see him ready to make the change from being a bandit to a monastic. It took time and effort to become one of the most notorious criminals of his time. He would also go through a strenuous process to gain the spiritual wisdom and saintly example that would be known for 2,000 years. There is no waiting around for a miraculous change to happen. Moses took whatever he wanted in his former life. Now he takes on holy living immediately.
Evangelical speaker Dr. Tony Campolo used to joke about his fellow Baptist in revival services. “We sing 20 verses of ‘Just as I am,’ some get saved just as they are, and go back to living just as they were.” This malady is not limited to modern denominations. Unfortunately, there is no shortage of Orthodox Christians who’s only objective for Pascha is to eat and drink as they wish again. Indeed, we take the body and blood of our Lord every Sunday and there is the temptation to simply scratch the Eucharist off of our ‘to do’ list without any serious thought about spiritual growth.
Everyone is not called to become a desert monastic and remain on a diet of lentils and old bread. After encountering Christ and His mercy, we have an opportunity to hold on to and grow in Him. Seizing the time is an important step in our walk with the Lord. Thinking that it’s God’s responsibility to make one do His will is to ignore the great gift of free will. Only in this gift can we become one with Him. Putting off making a change in our lives is like passing up the finest steak dinner because we aren’t ready to leave fast food meals alone.
Before I gave the homily at St. Basil on Judgement Sunday, I suggested that the congregation should consider obtaining a journal to write thoughts, ideas, inspirations and other things during Great Lent. One of our altar boys pestered his mom to get him, ‘a book.’ He’s not going to read the things I’m reading for this season. Nor will he pray my rule. I saw the little boy draw a picture of an icon after Liturgy. His mother told me why he did it. He seized the time the little way he could. Do what you can.
Desert Fathers Dispatch 