slippery
"At that they picked up rocks to throw at Jesus, but He hid Himself and slipped out of the temple precincts." —John 8:59
Do you feel Jesus is hiding Himself or has slipped out of your life? If you're not as close to Jesus as you have been, who moved? You may think Jesus slipped out, but really you slid back. "Draw close to God, and He will draw close to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, you backsliders" (Jas 4:8).
When Jesus seems to have slipped away, the truth is we have picked up rocks to throw at Him, refused to believe He is the great I AM, and rebelled against Him rather than obeyed Him (Jn 8:58-59). We make the break in any communication breakdown with God. The Lord has not stopped talking to us; we have ceased to listen to Him. There's nothing wrong with His voice, it's our ears that are deafened by sin. His heart is open, but ours are hardened. "There is no lack of room for you in" Jesus; "the narrowness is in you" (2 Cor 6:12). "Open wide your hearts!" (2 Cor 6:13)
Prayer: Father, during this Lent, may I return to Your side and be close to You.
Promise: "I will render you exceedingly fertile; I will make nations of you; kings shall stem from you. I will maintain My covenant with you and your descendants after you throughout the ages as an everlasting pact." —Gn 17:6-7
Praise: St. Patrick slipped away from his kidnappers. Later, he freely returned to get them out of their slavery.
Reference: (For related teaching, order our leaflet Obeying God or on audio AV 62-3 or video V-62.)
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Giles H. Pater, August 18 8, 2004
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, August 23, 2004