"You are trying to kill me because my word finds no hearing among you."

John 8:37

As a teacher of the faith, I want all people to become teachers of the faith. The object of our faith is Christ and Christ should be learned by all who call themselves Christian. We should all be teaching each other about the goodness and wisdom of Christ all the time. One of the ways I like to teach is through the use of acronyms.

One day I felt compelled by the Holy Spirit to pray for a new acronym that would help others to grow in the faith. Pretty much instantaneously and seemingly out of nowhere I thought of the word GIG. I wondered where this word had come from and what it had anything to do with helping people to grow in their understanding of Christ. First, I thought of someone having a music gig or performance. Then I focused on what the letters might stand for. What came to my mind was, “Grow in God.” I liked that! And I know it was totally the Holy Spirit who gave me this acronym instantaneously and out of the blue. I cannot come up with a different explanation of why I thought of GIG.

GIG- Grow in God! That is the call of every follower of Christ. We are to keep growing. That is our “GIG” or “business” or “vocation” or “way of life.” Opposing growth, how many people do you know who are just “mailing it in?” Look at it this way. There are two people in the equation- you and God. One of these people needs to change and the other does not. Guess who does not need to change? You are correct! God does not need to change. We need to change. God has it all together- he always has. He is perfect and in no need of change. We are the imperfect ones who are in constant need of change. So, are you with the GIG? Will you listen to God, your teacher, and obey his way of perfection? Are you willing to change and grow to get there?

One time in his public ministry Jesus said to those who were believing in him, “You are trying to kill me because my word finds no hearing among you.” John 8:37 Remember Herod the Great? Right after the birth of Jesus he, too, sought to kill Jesus. Jesus was a threat to his power and kingdom. In no way, shape or form did Herod want to give control over to Jesus. He was threatened by him and wanted to extinguish him. Herod had killed his wife, mother-in-law and three sons because they were a threat to his rule. He was never going to grant any hearing to Jesus in his life.

Does my life have any vestiges of Herod’s? Am I threatened by Jesus and what he might call me to do if I give control of my world over to him? Am I refusing to grow and just “mailing it in”? Or, will I grant Jesus a hearing all my days, all the day long? In this world that does not listen to God, will I listen? Will I make it my constant business, my vocation, to get with the GIG?

God’s will!
+Fr. John