Hallelujah! You found Jesus and have accepted Him as your Lord and Savior! Amen to that! However, it is not a one and done experience; it is a life-long journey. Through triumphs or tribulations, victories or defeats, strengths or sufferings, He will be there through it all if you call upon His glorious name. Do not be afraid!
Jesus does warn, “not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 7:21). It’s important to not be lazy, sit back and think you’re guaranteed to be saved. We are called to a lifelong journey of spiritual growth and a continual desire to do God’s will. How do we determine what God’s will is? We must read Sacred Scripture, follow His teachings, and foster our relationship with the Lord through prayer. We must accept that God has not called us to an easy life, but rather to a life full of purpose and meaning, which many times involves trials and hardship. Jesus said, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me” (Matthew 16: 24). Every day we must be willing to pick up our cross, to embrace the suffering and trials in our life and offer them up to the Lord our God. We do not carry our cross alone though; we carry it side by side with our Lord. Jesus offers these comforting words: “Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy burdened, and I will give you rest…For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.” (Matthew 11:28,30)
Find your local Catholic church, get to know your priest, get involved and continue your journey. Instead of focusing on the things of this world, focus on building the kingdom of Heaven. Seek His will at all times. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5-6) “How much better to acquire wisdom than gold! To gain understanding is more desirable than silver.” (Proverbs 16:16)
If there is one message you take from this message let it be this: Jesus says, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:37-39) God calls us to love Him and everyone, the Catholic faith can help you navigate this.
“Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give” (Matthew 10:8). God bless!