Colliding with Jesus

Change doesn't happen because we want it to. It happens because of a collision. 

When we think of the word collision, typically negative images come to mind. But a collision can also be positive.

We collide with other people. We collide with things written: books, stories, devotionals. We collide with circumstances in life. We collide with others' beliefs, ideas. We collide with music. We collide with Jesus.

When two things collide, it is rare that they both stay the same. Usually, one or both of those objects are changed because of the collision. 

When we collide with Jesus, we are changed. In perspective, self worth, purpose... the possibilities for change are endless. When we collide with people, our beliefs, ideas, goals, can all be changed as well. Some of these changes are previously desired, and some of them come about unexpectedly.

But what happens when we want to change?

In order to have things change we have to put ourselves in the path of a collision. 

Sometimes, we have this strong desire to change. But we don't do anything about it. Maybe we're afraid of failing, maybe it's just easier to not try, maybe we aren't sure if we really want the change. But by not doing anything, it is guaranteed we will stay the same. And then we get frustrated because nothing is changing.

What if we spent less time thinking about the problem (what we want to change) and instead focused on the solution (putting ourselves out there so there can actually be change)?

What would it look like if we made a decision to head towards collisions? Collisions with Jesus, with people who will lift us up, with music or books that help us grow. If we commit to being changed, to growing, to not being afraid of what comes with being different than we used to be, what are the possibilities?

I collided with Jesus this weekend, in a very real way. I was in a funk, and I was taking it out on myself. I'm not good enough, I'm not as ____ as this person, I can't do _____ that well, I'm not going to get into grad school, the list keeps going. I reluctantly put myself in the path of a collision, and oh was I changed. I collided with the memories of a retreat that I attended in spring, and what it meant to be focused on God, and to be a sanctuary for Him. I collided with a friend with beautiful faith, who reminded me that I am a daughter of God, and that I have dignity and identity in Him, and that I need to actively stop the lies that I started believing. I collided at Mass, where I remembered that God knows my heart, and loves me (and even likes me!) even when I fail. And I collided at SNL, where I heard about this idea of collision and change.

I have been desperate for change, but I have been unwilling to put myself out there. Because of my fear of failing, because of the work that it requies, because of my human laziness. But when I finally put myself on the path of collision, God collided with me, in an amazing way. Every step that we take towards Him, no matter how small, will result in a collision that will leave us changed.

*Thanks to Paul LeFeber, who spoke at SNL, for many of the ideas that spurred this post.