How to Move from Simply Being a Christian to Becoming a Christian.
Our Spiritual life needs more than an occasional “I believe” to grow. If we want to go deeper and find meaning, we have to surrender our comfort zone. Reaching this crossroad, we let go of calling ourselves a good Catholic or even a good Christian and open ourselves to true Wisdom.
It is the moment when we move from simply being a Christian to the moment when we choose to truly become a Christian.
“Wisdom is readily perceived by those who love her and found by those who seek her.” (Proverbs)
In a veiled way, those who seek wisdom are looking for contentment. They are not perfectly happy living their routine, ordinary lives. To replace that missing something, they are ready to make the giant leap and try to understand life from God’s perspective.
While God’s goodness includes creation’s longing for happiness, evil often gets in the way. Therefore, the happiness we sometimes chose neither pleases nor honors God. However, with the wealth of wisdom we seek, our happiness and God’s glory is the same choice. This is not only good, but it is goodness itself.
To explain this, Christ uses the parable of the ten virgins. All ten are good, but only five are wise. The five wise virgins placed oil in their lamps for their single task to meet the bridegroom on his arrival. When he did come, only those with oil could meet and lead the way. And because they were prepared, they are called wise.
God our creator has chosen us to live in this world as his wise followers. Jesus is our way, our truth, and our life. Everything Jesus teaches and preaches comes directly from his father, our creator. When we accept Jesus and live what he taught, we are seeking wisdom. And we gain happiness while God is glorified by how we live.
In life we often pray to become holy and follow God’s personal plan for us. When we do, we are similar to the virgins with oil lamps and, thus, we are wise followers. Jesus also personally demonstrated how we may become a wise disciple. Remember, during Jesus’ Holy Thursday farewell dinner when he washes his apostles’ feet, he tells his disciples to do likewise.
When Peter objected, Jesus simply said: “Well then Peter you can’t be my disciple.” Jesus is suggesting that good works along with belief is definitely a wisdom-like action. Wisdom is doing the ordinary everyday acts of life perfectly well.
Again, Proverbs relates : Wisdom cries aloud in the street, in the markets she raises her voice; at the head of the noisy streets she cries out; at the entrance of the city gates she speaks.
God created this world in such a way that doing good through faith and Christ’s message leads to greater happiness. Yet, we can now live in a world where our happiness occurs when we love God and do good to our neighbor as the same actions. And the more we choose to glorify God, the happier we become.
