Our Journey of Faith: Walk with God - “Eyes Opened, Heart Surrendered”

 readings 091225m 

When I was in college, I felt the call.
Not loud. Not dramatic.
But deep—like a whisper in the soul.
A call to preach. To serve. To speak of God’s love.

But I was lost.
I wandered from church to church—Baptist, Methodist, Nazarene, Church of Christ, Assembly of God.
Good people. Faithful hearts.
But something in the teaching didn’t sit right.
I was searching for the Kingdom,
but I kept settling for pieces of it.

I didn’t yet know the fullness of truth.
I didn’t yet know the Church.

You can’t expect God to be glorified
when you choose the world over Heaven.
And many do.
Not because they don’t believe—
but because they’re not ready.
Not ready to surrender.
Not ready to let go of comfort, control, or pride.

Saint Paul understood.
He said, “I was once a blasphemer, a persecutor, an arrogant man—
but I was mercifully treated because I acted out of ignorance in my unbelief.”
(1 Timothy 1:13)

That’s grace.
That’s the mercy of a God who calls us even when we’re confused.

Jesus said, “Can a blind person lead a blind person?
Will not both fall into a pit?” (Luke 6:39)
I was blind.
I saw the splinters in other churches,
but missed the beam in my own heart.
I wanted clarity,
but hadn’t yet asked for conversion.

And then—God opened my eyes.
I found the Eucharist.
Not symbol. Not memory.
But Christ Himself—Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity.
I found the Sacraments.
Not rituals. Not customs.
But encounters with grace—
Baptism that cleanses,
Confession that heals,
Anointing that strengthens.

I found the teachings of the Apostles.
Not opinions.
But truth handed down, guarded by the Church,
rooted in Christ.

And I knew—this is home.
This is the Church.
This is the walk I was made for.

Now I walk not with perfect knowledge,
but with perfect trust.
I walk with gratitude, like Paul, who said,
“I am grateful to Him who has strengthened me…
because He considered me trustworthy in appointing me to the ministry.”
(1 Timothy 1:12)

We are all on a journey.
And if we walk with God,
even our detours become holy ground.

Lord Jesus,
You found me in my wandering,
You opened my eyes to Your truth.

Lead me by Your Eucharistic Presence,
Heal me through Your Sacraments,
Form me in the wisdom of Your Apostles.

Let my steps be Yours.
Let my heart be Yours.
Let my life glorify You.

Amen.