The Hound of Heaven

I would like to say that the Lords goodness to me resulted in my bearing fruit for Him, but like many young people I rebelled by trying to take charge of my own life by becoming independant. It was not that I disbelieved so much as I placed other things and people before Him. Several times I felt the pull of the Holy Spirit and to my shame ignored it. However he never lets go of us. Psalm 138 (9) has been called  The Hound of Heaven here are a few verses from it. "O where can I go from your Spirit, or where can I flee from your face?  If I climb to the heavens you are there if I lie in the grave you are there" It is worth reading through this psalm and pondering its meaning. It was not until I was married with small children that I came back to " The shepherd and guardian of my soul "  1 Peter 2 v 23. One Sunday at the Eucharist while reciting the Nicene creed which is our statement of belief. " I found myself thinking " Do I really believe all this?" It was at this moment that evangelical Christians would say that I was saved, because I accepted in faith in

all that we were reciting. In Romans 10 v v 8- 10 St Paul says " If you confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified,and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved" Of course it is better that we never stray, but sooner or later we need to make a decision to accept the faith for ourselves, Catholics have the  opportunity to do this every Easter when we renew our baptismal vows. If we make them with sincerity of heart it will make a great difference to our spiritual lives.