Woe to me !

"And I do this because of the gospel in order to share in its blessings" (1 Corinthians 9:23).

I do not count the number of times I have devoted, in recent years, entire evenings to write to answer the call of God. When God inspires me to write a book, I feel myself dying if I do not do it. I feel "obliged" to do so, and it is a joy to see when I obey, the Holy Spirit inspire me by putting the words in my mind. If I resist, his presence becomes stronger, and it is like a devouring fire that is held in me. I try to contain it, without succeeding, unless I grieve the Holy Spirit of God. And I do not want that... That's what also happened in the life of the prophet Jeremiah. He said : "If I say : 'I will not mention him again, I will not speak in his name', then there is in my heart a devouring fire that is held in my bones. I am tired of trying to contain it, without being able to do it" (Jeremiah 20: 9). When we no longer speak of Jesus, when we do not mention him anymore, there is a fire in us, it is the presence of the Holy Spirit that challenges us and burns in us. It is passion and love for souls who want to manifest themselves. But if we resist for too long, this fire will be extinguished, and our passion with him. And we will sink into a dead religion.

Paul said : "woe to me if I do not proclaim the Gospel !" (1 Corinthians 9:16). Paul had not decided to do it himself (because he would have had a natural desire to preach to people who would throw stones at him and spit on him), but he had accepted a charge : that of announcing the gospel. If we do not speak of Jesus, woe to us, because we will be sad and dissatisfied ! We must do what God puts in our hearts, do something in favor of the gospel.

Let us pray : "Lord, illuminate the eyes of my heart so that I can know what you want from me concerning the Gospel. I want to make myself available. I want to obey. I want to obey you. Speak to me, and I will do it."

Jeremy Sourdril