1 Kings 19:16, 19-21 / Galatians 5:1, 13-18 / Luke 9:51-62
In life, we need to have some convictions, or at least a conviction.
When there is a conviction, then there will be goals and objectives in life. When there is a conviction, then what we think and what we do will be focused and directed. When there is a conviction, there will also be determination. We won't waste our time doing nothing or just lazing away.
But convictions need not be lofty or profound. They can be simple and practical, so that in every situation, we will have recourse to our convictions and move on in life.
For example, a simple practical conviction in life can be this: Walking is a good exercise.
That sounds simple and practical enough. Walking is good for our health and physically it is an exercise that we can maintain in our senior years.
In the emotional aspect, it would be good to walk away from anger, resentment and bitterness, so that we will be at peace with ourselves.
And in the spiritual aspect, we walk away from sin and we walk towards God.
So, convictions in life can be simple and practical and achievable, yet it does not make us look obsessive or compulsive.
The first line of the gospel passage begins with this: As the time drew near for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely took the road for Jerusalem.
To be resolute is to be admirably purposeful, determined and unwavering.
Jesus knew what His mission was. He came to save sinners. He came to teach the truth, to show the way of love, and to give us life to the full on Earth and also eternal life in Heaven.
That was His conviction, and He was focused, determined and unwavering. So, when He faced rejection from the Samaritans, He did not retaliate.
Even when His disciples wanted to call down punishment on the Samaritans, Jesus turned and rebuked them and they went to another village.
And even for those who wanted to follow Him, Jesus asked them if they were resolute enough.
To follow Jesus, one has to be focused, determined and unwavering. To follow Jesus is to have the conviction that He is the Saviour. To follow Jesus, we too need to have a conviction and to be resolute about it, just like Jesus was resolute.
And just as Jesus walked away from the rejection of the Samaritans, and walked resolutely to Jerusalem, we too need to do some thinking and to do some walking.
Yes, walking is a good exercise.
We walk away from arguments that lead to anger. We walk away from people who put us down.
We walk away from anyone who does not see our worth.
We walk away from mistakes and fear so as to learn from them.
The more we walk away from the things that poison our souls, the healthier and happier we will become.
Jesus walked away from rejection and walked towards the Jerusalem and to the Cross for our salvation.
Let us walk away from sin, let us walk with Jesus, let us walk in the way of truth and love.
Let us walk with life and walk towards eternal life in heaven.