When Wild Animals Rush In

Following Jesus is a life long journey. Each day we take steps to live as Jesus desires. Often the difficulty of this journey hits us the moment we wake up each day. C.S. Lewis (the Author of the Chronicles of Narnia) had something to say about that.

“The real problem of the Christian life comes where people do not usually look for it. It comes the very moment you wake up each morning. All your wishes and hopes for the day come rushing at you like wild animals. And the first job each morning consists simply in shoving them all back; in listening to that other voice, taking that other point of view, letting that other larger, stronger, quieter life come flowing in. And so on, all day. Standing back from all of your natural fussings and frettings; coming in out of the wind.
We can only do it for moments at first. But from those moments the new life will begin spreading, because now we are allowing him to work at the right part of us. It is the difference between paint, which is merely laid on the surface, and a dye or stain which soaks all the way through.”

Today, make time to listen. Push away the wild animals that come rushing at you and instead of focusing on them, you must welcome God to this place. Slow down and acknowledge Him. Meditate on Him and come near to him in worship and thought.


Draw Near to God
Make yourself available to God alone. Close your eyes. Try to ignore those around you as well as any other distractions.

Focus on God’s mercy. Slow your breathing. Be conscious of it. Inwardly pray these words: As you breathe in, “Oh Lord God” and as you breathe out, “Have mercy on me”. Go ahead. Try it 3 or 4 times. Now, whenever your mind begins to wander during your time of prayer, return to those words as you breathe in and out: “Oh Lord God, Have mercy on me.”

Spend some time in silence, welcoming God to your day, to your life.