Today’s reading at morning mass was Numbers 21:4-9, where the Israelites have left slavery for freedom. Freedom was hard in the respect that food was scarce and they wanted to go back to slavery for a meal they could count on. My priest reminded us at mass that we are all a lot like the Israelites. Instead of slavery like the Israelites experienced we are slaves to that TV show we can’t go without watching each day or each week. We are slaves to a variety of bad habits, food we shouldn’t be eating, spending money on things that are unnecessary.
I think of it as the items I have surround myself and my family with that are just taking up space but not serving a purpose. Or the food that we buy because it tastes good but leaves us with a stomach ache and regret in our pocketbook.
How do we stop being modern day slaves to the things that keep us from God and His will?
Can we stop watching that TV show? Or eating that unhealthy food? Can we instead sit in silence with God and tell Him we are struggling and we need His help to guide us back to His will? Yes! We can ask Him just that and He will be more then elated to lead us back to Him. Will it be hard? Yes.
Something I use to keep me on track is this prayer map.
They make them for boys, girls, men, it is the same map, just different colors. It is also a great to be able to go back and see what prayers God answers and how He answers them.
Instant gratification
Just so you are aware, God in my experience, doesn’t provide us with instant gratification when seeking an answer. I believe, He wants us to sit with it for a bit. In my experience, I have generally not listened very well when He has spoken to me. So naturally, if you avoid doing what He has requested of you, I would make me sit with it for a bit longer to teach myself a lesson.
Are you a slave to something in your life? Do you have an idea or have you figured out how to stop your slavery? Please comment below with your thoughts! I’d love to hear them!