Know Him

"Still more, everything seems to me as nothing compared with the knowledge of Christ Jesus, my Lord. For His sake I have let everything fall away and I now consider all as garbage, if instead I may gain Christ." - Philippians 7:8

I remember being 10 years old, laying in my bed pleading with God. I didn't understand a homework assignment I was given and I was so scared my teacher would yell at me the next day. What stands out to me was the pure faith I had in God. I don't remember what the assignment was, but I only remember my prayer. I didn't doubt Him; I saw Him as my only solution, and He still is today.

Sometimes people think that my faith is a result of my parents' faith, since they are both very religious, and while I can't deny it has helped, I have to say that my faith has been a gift from God from a very early age. One of my little brothers asked me today how is it that I want to pray so often, how is it that I want to attend Mass almost every day. To him, it seems like such a burden, but when he asked me, this verse from Saint Paul came into my mind. It's one thing to believe in God but it's another to seek a relationship with Him, which is what I've tried to develop all of my life, but more in depth now that I'm older. It's no longer that I feel like praying, but it's that my soul yearns for Him. The gospel according to Luke says that when Jesus resurrected and appeared to two disciples, their hearts burned ardently and that's what I feel for Him. It feels like being in love with someone and your heart burns in your chest, longing to see Him, and once you are in His presence, it becomes the love of a parent with their child because you feel the love, protection, and the comfort. When you really get to know the Lord, the words of Paul here in the letter to the Philippians come alive… there is nothing that compares to seeking God, to being in His presence… all is garbage and there is nothing like having Him with you.

Seek Him. Let Him in. Open your heart sincerely to Him, without hesitation, without holding anything back. The moment He lets Himself be known to you will be the moment you know that all else is nothing if you can instead gain Christ.

Today's Prayer (from Psalm 63):
O God, You are my God, it is You I seek; for You my body longs and my soul thirsts, as a dry and weary land without water. Thus I have gazed upon You in the sanctuary, to see Your power and Your glory. Your love is better than life, my lips will glorify You. Please allow for my soul to always cling to You. In Jesus' Name, amen.