Embracing the Radical Call to Change
Insights from "The Imitation of Christ"
In the timeless wisdom of "The Imitation of Christ," Thomas à Kempis confronts us with perhaps the most difficult question of all: the challenge of having the resolve and commitment to change our lives. With a radical call to action, he urges us to seize the present moment and declare, "Now is the time to do it”.Now is the right time to amend my life" (p. 32). As we grapple with this profound challenge, let us explore how we respond to such a radical call to change and whether we resonate with Augustine's sentiment of desiring transformation, but feeling hesitant to fully embrace it.
The call to change our lives, as articulated by Thomas à Kempis, is indeed radical in its simplicity and urgency. It challenges us to confront the reality of our present circumstances and to recognize that the time for transformation is now, not some distant future. It invites us to cast aside procrastination and excuses and to embrace the opportunity for renewal and growth that is available to us in the present moment. In 2 Corinthians 6:2, Paul writes, "Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation." This sense of immediacy underscores the urgency of responding to the call to change with courage and conviction.
Yet, like Augustine in his Confessions, many of us may find ourselves wrestling with the tension between our desire for transformation and our reluctance to fully commit to the process. We may resonate with Augustine's famous phrase, "Lord, make me chaste, but not yet," expressing a sincere longing for change but also a fear of the unknown and a reluctance to let go of our familiar patterns and comforts. In Romans 7:18-19, Paul reflects on this inner struggle, saying, "For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing."
How then do we respond to such a radical challenge? It begins with a willingness to acknowledge our need for change and to surrender our fears and hesitations to God. It involves embracing the transformative power of grace and entrusting ourselves to the guiding hand of the Holy Spirit. As we take small steps towards growth and renewal, we can find assurance in Paul's words in Philippians 1:6, "And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ."
In conclusion, the call to change our lives as presented in "The Imitation of Christ" is indeed radical and challenging, yet it is also deeply liberating and transformative. By embracing the present moment as an opportunity for renewal and growth, and by entrusting ourselves to the grace and guidance of God, we can embark on a journey of profound spiritual transformation. May we heed the call to change with courage and conviction, knowing that God is ever faithful to complete the good work He has begun in us.
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