Clay in the Hands

I listen to a daily devotional podcast done by the Jesuit order.  Most days are really good but today seemed to grab me more than normal.  The passage was out of Matthew (read it here) – the story of Jesus casting the demons out of the demoniacs and into the swine.  When the demoniacs first saw Jesus, they immediately recognized him as the Son of God and asked what he wanted with them.  After casting the demons out of the men and into swine, the herders ran into town and told everyone they saw.

The story ends with the entire town coming out and begging Jesus to leave the area.  The issue is that when people come face to face with Jesus, change happens.  The demons were afraid because they knew what was coming.  The townspeople were afraid because they did not want to be confronted by Jesus either.

I have to ask myself the same question, “What is it that I hold on to or maybe holds on to me, that causes me to resist Jesus and the transformation he wants for me?”  Am I ever guilt of saying, “Leave me alone Jesus!”?

I have not been able to shake this question.  I will live in this question today and pray for God to reveal to me how I can give all of myself to God.

How about you?  Is there anything you hide away or hold on to that prevents you from being fully devoted to God?

Something to think about.