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  My Witness

Vol. 12, No. 3, July, 2007

From the Editor
Sr. Jan Nattermann, S.N.C.

Sister Jan In the last issue I mentioned that we need three things to live through our 'little whiles', our time of waiting: knowledge, trust and persistence.

Let's look at KNOWLEDGE. We see with the two disciples on the road to Emmaus, ( Luke 24:13-35) that having faith based primarily on one's experience (although essential) is not enough, to get one through the 'little whiles'. They needed knowledge from God's Word, as well. It was after the Resurrection that Jesus drew near to the two, walked with them and asked them what they were talking about--why they were so sad. They said it was because Jesus of Nazareth had been crucified, "but we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel."

Then Jesus "interpreted to them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself." As Jesus opened up to them the scriptures, they gained knowledge and their hearts burned within them. They needed knowledge of God's Word, of God's plan.

In times of 'waiting' you have to live on more than the memory of an experience. You must have concrete knowledge of God's plan, promises and purpose. That's what makes difficulties doable: knowing that God has put you there and that He is working out plan.

Maybe this 'little while' came into the lives of these two disciples on the way to Emmaus because they had to adjust to God's vision of the future. They had to let of their vision that focused upon the present only to God's vision of the future. He wanted them to enjoy a relationship that could never be broken through all eternity. He wanted them to have a joy that no one could take away.

God does care about you and is at work within and around you. "They who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint" (Isaiah 40:31).

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