Do you have some “life goals” you are working towards? Maybe it’s a milestone in your career, earning a certain degree, getting to a point to where you are independent, able to support yourself even be with that “special” someone. Maybe you just want to be healthier, so you can live longer, and be there for your loved ones, feel more confident in yourself. Maybe there’s some dream home or car or life you want to have, and you are working towards financially being able to afford it.
Simeon, a man “righteous and devout” encountered by the Holy Family while coming to the temple for the Presentation of Jesus, had a life long goal, to see the Messiah- the one promised to his people as the savior. It says that he was “awaiting the consolation of Israel” and that God told him to go to the temple when Jesus would be there.
What he says upon holding the Christ-child and seeing him finally, blows me away.
He says, ““Lord, now let your servant go in peace; your word has been fulfilled:
my own eyes have seen the salvation
which you prepared in the sight of every people, a light to reveal you to the nations,
and the glory of your people Israel.”
In other words, “I am ready to die now. My life’s goal has been met. I’ve seen the savior.”
When I read this today, I thought, but wait, all he did, was see and hold baby Jesus. He didn’t even get to see the miracles He would do, or witness Him dying on the cross for our sins, or ask Him for anything. He simply saw Jesus, and was utterly and completely satisfied with his life.
And then it hit me. Simeon is a man with his priorities in order. He spent his whole life looking for, seeking after the Savior, and when he finally saw Him, said, that’s it. There is no other goal in my life. I have seen Him.
My friends, life goals, they are good things, especially if they are leading us to become better people. I would even say the Holy Spirit inspires us with those goals, as God wants us to be the very best version of ourselves, but if “seeing” Jesus for the first time, isn’t our first life goal, and our ultimate and final life goal, what are we even doing? What is the purpose of anything, if He is not our end?
As you make your new Year’s resolutions, ask the Holy Spirit to show you how to “see” Jesus maybe for the first time. Move towards Him. The time is now. Maybe it’s going back to church, maybe it’s daily prayer, daily scripture reading, giving up things that are separating you from an intimate relationship with Him. Ask God to show you what steps you need to take towards Him.
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