Young people are turning away from religion in droves. There are many reasons for this, but chief among them is the fact that modern religions tend to soften the spiritual life, to make it easy so that it offers no significant challenges. We have domesticated God and God’s messengers. The “sword” that Jesus speaks of is not a weapon of violence, but the power to re-establish order, justice, health, and harmony as is necessary. True religions or spiritual paths dare us to embrace the challenge of overcoming our fears, our addiction to pleasure, and our self-absorption so that we may embrace the great adventure of living for something larger than ourselves. Whether we know it or not, God has not created us for a life of simple ease or passive peace. We have been created to live in such a way that our dormant divinity is the dominant force in our lives.
Divine God,
With your help,
I will have the courage
To accept the challenges
I must face
To live the life
You have planned for me.
