As we made our way to New Brunswick, I began reading one of my books, while a co-missionary was playing Lighthouse CD’s through a laptop, somehow connected to an amp, plugged into a converter in the back of the van (mission ready van!!!), as another co-missionary shared some of her family’s greatest dreams fulfilled through graces given in their service to the Lord.
I sat, basking in a banquet of faith and knowledge, and was reminded of a few simple things…
DON’T BE AFRAID TO TRY SOMETHING NEW.
I have often heard that “ignorance of knowledge is ignorance of faith.” I haven’t always been the best at reading books, or research. Sometimes, when it isn’t the kind of book or topic I like, it takes me forever to complete. A seemingly good read would begin to slowly make its way to the back of the shelf, remaining forgotten for years, only to be opened ___ years later to find a random bookmark beyond pages I had forgotten.
I have recently began to appreciate the creative library of knowledge God has placed into this world. One that is archived in the hearts of others, in the passing seconds of each breath every day, in the pages of paper – glossed, newly published, and in some old treasures, and in the seconds of a disc or pixels on a screen. Knowledge, wherever it roots itself is a gift from God and a newer revelation of His existence in mankind and in all creation. So I have taken up completing everything I start, no matter how difficult.
In every completed page, my faith grows in knowledge, and falls away from ignorance, allowing me to defend Love with love and confidence in the Lord, and the “mustard seed” continues to take its root and grow.
It doesn’t necessarily always matter how long it takes to complete the task. What matters is that whatever God has given us is constantly fulfilling the purpose He had given us in each moment of our lives, no matter how slow or fast. And in this fulfillment, there is contentment. In joy and in sorrow, there is contentment.
“But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may accomplish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.” (Acts 20: 24)
Where has this motivation bloomed from? Scripture. One of the greatest doctors (St. Jerome) of the Catholic Church once said…
“Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ.”
And from the treasures in Scripture, a seed of curiosity – of wanting to know more – began. Now, no matter how difficult it is sometimes, I have learned to joyfully persevere. In saying so, the task becomes more joyful because beyond the difficulty, I am coming to know Christ more and more.
TOTUS TUUS.