Don’t give up
February 10th, 2005 ~ Orthodox perspectiveAnother gem from the Ortho-convert list, in response to a long thread about whether Orthodox consider that they are assured of salvation and what part they play in their salvation:
Orthodoxy is a journey. It is a path you must follow. If you do not follow the path you do not reach the destination you seek. You may trip and fall down every other step — Christ will help you up and will not abandon you. But you cannot quit, throw your hands up in the air, and give up. If you quit, turn your back on Christ, and head back the other direction, there is nobody to stop you, and nobody who can help you. In that sense, yes, it depends on you. But if you persevere, Christ with strengthen you, guide your path, and accompany you home. In that sense, finding your way depends on Him. Just don’t give up.
Vasili
For some reason, I know quite a few people who are having a crisis of faith right now. And of course I always have to give myself little kicks in the side, like a donkey. So these words are for all of us.
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June 26th, 2005 at 12:42 pm
I just read your possibly related link “WHen Churches Melt down…”
Interestingly I was going through exactly the same thing at the same time with the Mission I helped found 6 years before. We’ve begun a new Mission under a different archdiocese with a couple of other families who left in grief and despair. I pray we’ve learned some lessons, but some things are out of our hands and in the hands of heirarchs, presidents and priests that are beyond controlling. Lord have mercy on His Church!