Our lives take many different directions, but ultimately, we all stand before Jesus. He will judge each of us based on how we lived and loved. When that moment comes, there will be no time to make amends, so we must stay prepared.
I remember cramming for tests in school. Some tests, though, came unannounced, and I had to answer the questions on the spot. Jesus often warned His disciples to always be on guard and not be drowsy in life, because the day of judgement would come unexpectedly, like a trap. We all know the test is coming—we just don’t know when.
The other day, while walking through a forest at my aunt and uncle’s house, I noticed how carefully I had to step. A wrong move could easily cause me to trip or twist my ankle. I also stayed cautious, knowing a snake could be hiding nearby. While the odds of encountering one were slim, the possibility was real, and one careless step could harm me.
In the same way, we should approach life with deliberate steps, being mindful of where we walk. Life is full of obstacles that can trip us up. Some may only bruise us, but others could be far more dangerous. Just as parents teach their children to look both ways before crossing the street, we too must exercise caution when making life’s big decisions.
We have the free will to choose many different paths in life. Some roads lead to Heaven, while others lead us astray. Although we can choose our own way, we must regularly check our spiritual GPS to ensure we’re still on course. It’s hard to go off track if we stay close to Jesus—through prayer and attending Mass at least once a week. The closer we remain to Him, the easier it will be to hear His voice and stay on course. But when His voice begins to fade, it’s a sign we need to adjust our course.
