When a parent takes out their teenage child to practice their driving skills they will often discover that they are becoming more careful drivers by teaching their own child. There is a different set of learning skills happening here, but it does make a difference to the driving practice of the parent (the adult).
The same thing happens in our journey of faith. When we try to teach others about the mystery of Jesus Christ and how we live our life as his disciples, we are learning ourselves. Now the people of the Church call the convert to conversion, but the convert calls the people of the Church to conversion. Often the newcomer will point out, “but look at so-and-so, look how they are not living by Christian values.”
It is all true. So many people within the Church may pray correctly but can have such racist attitudes towards others who are different from themselves.
The truth is – we are all on a journey of conversion. The Christian life is all about the work of the Holy Spirit, working within the life-space of each one of us, to change us into the likeness of Christ. Each believer is meant to have Christ (the person and the mission of the Son of God) happen in their own space and time.
There is never a point in life that we can say that we have it made. If the truth be told, there is so much more in our lives that can and will be converted.
The first part of our faith is the creation of the world/humanity. Every part of creation is the gift of the love of God. Even if we cannot understand why rocks and mountains exist, they come from the loving God.
Now, the first step in our faith-life is to live and respond to the love of God, beginning with creation. Each human being has been created in the image o f God. Each human being bears the love of God in their existence. Now, our task, is to respond to the love of God given in creation.
When we are loved, we respond with equal love. Watch the child, grow and respond to the love of parents, grandparents, teachers and friends. Our faith life is to live and respond to the love of God poured out in the creation of our human life and the love that comes from others. Love is actually meant to be like a prairie fire: it ignites whatever it touches.
We have been brought into life, into union, with the very person of Jesus Christ. We share divine life, love and compassion. But this sharing in the life of Christ is always meant to be dynamic. We are meant to be changed more and more into the likeness of Christ. There is much more work for the Holy Spirit in our lives.
How well do you understand your Christiaan life as a life of conversion, growth and change?
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