Ping Pong, the Lord's Affairs #1

                 Growing up, I was exposed to many sports; badminton, volleyball, Fuzzball, ping pong, swimming, etc... yet three became my favorites: Tennis, Basketball, and soccer, and one - Ping Pong - remained an intriguing sport to me, and one I failed to be good at. Having played tennis for many years, I often felt uncomfortable with Ping Pong; the ball was so light and I believe to be introduced to Tennis first made me approach the game with unrealistic expectations. Therefore, not having the patience to lean it, I soon gave up playing it.

Years later, as I reminisce at how often I struggled with God's call in different areas of my life, I see that at times it seemed easy. Other times, the process of surrender to His will was often after a series of emotional ping pongs: him calling was a whisper just as the ping pong ball was very light. Times when the call seemed strange to me, or out of the ordinary, or uncommon, unfamiliar, out of my comfort zone, I would be tempted to default to 'the other option' or else 'what seemed familiar territory'. Yet, our good Lord in His infinite mercy would find a way to keep me still. I can tell you these were not fun moments; I would be restless until peace found me. In instances, I actually gave in to the other option, it was not long before the Holy Spirit exposes me to myself. Then Peace would fill me slowly but surely until I accept to walk on water like Peter by His power.  Even in such times, when I would begin walking on water, and be swept away by the winds of Doubt, our Lord would and still finds a way to get me to keep my gaze on Him rather than the winds of discouragement or comfort. Today as I look back throughout our faith heritage, it might have seemed easy whenever God called, but it was actually never easy.
When God called Abraham, it was not easy but he responded; today in our generation a typical response will go like this 'Heavenly Father, I am growing old, and I am just looking to die in peace. I do not need people calling me crazy in my old age'. When God called Moses, it was not easy but he also responded. When God chose Esther to deliver her people, it was not easy but she responded. She prayed and fasted for three days before coming to the King. When God called Mary, it was not easy at all. She even to the Angel Gabriel, 'but how can this be?', yet she surrendered with these words: 'Behold I am the handmaid of the Lord, let it be done to me according to your word' (Lk 1:38). mmm... the Call! God's Call! When God called Joseph, it was not easy! But again, he responded. When Jesus called the twelve, it was not easy but they carried on their mission till the ends of the earth. When Jesus called Peter to walk on water, it was not just easy, it was surreal, but he answered, and our good Lord Jesus was with him. A wise man once told: 'Child, remember that God will always take you out of your comfort zone, but He will never put you to shame.' 

What is it that God is calling you to? Truth is when God calls us, it is never easy, and it will never be easy. We tend to come up with many excuses. Or we say Yes, and we are ready to run in other directions. We want to take our legs, and borrow our family members legs, and we speed like lightning; yet who can hide from God? We shake like Shakespeare! Now, I like you am reminding us that whether we children or adults, He calls. Whether we working in a career or working from home or at home, He calls. Whether married, religious or single; He calls. There is no where, we can hide from Him. Wrestle if you must like Jonah. Pray and fast if you must.Cry out. Shed tears. Pace back and forth: He will confirm it, affirm it or infirm it. At times, you may stand alone like Mother Teresa, simply believe like her that He who calls will provide. Yet avoid eternal ping pong series, and surrender at last. Time is of essence. We are wanted to live out loud our baptism call, thus let us go with His words tattooed on our soul:
"Trust wholeheartedly in Yahweh, put no faith in your own perception; acknowledge him in every course you take, and he will see that your paths are smooth" - (NJB Prov 3:5-6).
Let us therefore go in confidence encouraged by one another that Our Heavenly Father will never fail us because He who created us has already outline His Divine Plan for us (Jer 29:11). No matter how hard it gets, let us walk in prayer, and trusting that He gave us His Word (Ps.12:6).

           -Fanny Magnificat, the Lord's Affairs #1