Still

The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/031616.cfm) makes me think if I will still love God even if things are not going great. 

In the movie "Facing the Giants" one of the moving scenes is when the team was n the locker room and their leader was exhorting them - "if we win, we praise Him. If we lose, we still praise him. Either way, we're giving God the glory". No matter what happens, they resolve to praise God and offer him whatever outcome the game will have. This is what God wants from us. 

God wants us to have faith in him, no matter what situation we are in. 

The first reading tells us an amazing story! Imagine three men (with cool names: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego) being thrown to a furnace so hot, with their hands tied. Seems like there's no escape. All odds are against them. However, they did not falter in faith. They remained faithful to God, no matter if God saves them or not. Thats how great their faith is. That's how much they trust God. 

If our God, whom we serve, can save us from the white-hot furnace and from your hands, O king, may he save us! But even if he will not, know, O king, that we will not serve your god or worship the golden statue that you set up.” 

That's faith, and surrender. And God rewarded them by saving them. 

They had firm faith in God. They did not bargain. However, we sometimes do. Lord, grant me this prayer request and I will go to mass every Friday. Lord, may I pass this important interview, and I will give 10% of my salary to the church. Lord, please give me my ideal girlfriend and I will stop playing around. We have conditions. We want to get what we want first before doing what God wants. This is the opposite of how the men acted, of how God wants us to act. 

The three men decided to serve God no matter what happens. May we also resolve to. May we choose and decide to follow, serve, and love God even if he does not grant us our deepest desires and prayer requests. 

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another interesting and inspiring story. Thank you for the reminder. Thank you for the inspiration. Thank you for your great love for me. Thank you for your great power. Lord, may I be like the three men in the first reading who decided to stand up for you regardless if you hear their prayer or not, even if it can cost them their lives. Help me have faith like theirs. Help me live that faith in you. Strengthen me and prepare me until the time I can confidently do the same for you.  Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

Ps

See related reflection:
http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2014/04/even-if.html