The purpose of the work is to lead the soul to the summit of spiritual perfection, by means of a constant, courageous struggle against our evil nature, which tends to keep us away from that goal. [SC 1]

The key word, years ago, would have been evil.

Today, a sign of changes brought about in twenty years of growth, I focus on courageous.

Growth tends to imply improvement.  It’s tempting to pat myself on the back…however evil I might have been long ago, I am now less evil…new and improved.

Instead, I find myself caught in an eternal whirlpool of good and evil, the eddy alternately capturing and releasing me, generating moments of growth that are too often sacrificed in an unexpected meeting with demons and temptations I thought I had slain.

Evil…the great Leviathan…is never far away.  In fact, growth, such as it has been for me, reveals that Leviathan is always at hand…not out there…but in here…in my spirit.  No wonder the struggle seems endless…eternal.

The worst part of the battle is the temptation to cede to evil.  Leviathan offers enticing options.  Pride – I have come so far, I’m better than I was yesterday.  Sloth – I’ll worry about this tomorrow.  Despair – Nothing I do will matter anyway.  Lies – After all, it’s not that big of a deal.

At one time or another, I have used every option on Leviathan’s list.  Of late, I am caught in the snag of despair.  When will I ever conquer my anger?  Be generous with forgiveness?  Be fittingly grateful?  I slay one evil, only to turn and face two more.  The struggle is endless.

Thus, I am caught by the word courageous.  The key.   

The saints agree.  The human struggle is within us, in each of us, an ever-present fight to choose the good, the righteous, the true…to choose love.  The greater love.  God’s love.

We fight, we win, we fall back, we confess, we repent, and we begin again.  Choosing to stay in the battle…that is the key.  Courage.  To stay in the battle…The Spiritual Combat.  If I can’t always win, at least I can be courageous.  

God’s love is our companion.  God’s love is the prize.

 

PRAYER:     God, let me rely on your promises and your love to give me strength…and courage…in The Spiritual Combat.

 SCRIPTURE:  …that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have power to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.  [Eph 1:17-19]

 

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