In recent years, it seems everyone is saying, "Faith is a journey" insinuating it can get tough along the way. But no matter how many times we hear this, we don't truly understand its meaning until we reach that point. The point where the bottom falls out and we are left to our own devices since we reached this point by choosing to be alone. For some time, we decided to take matters in our own hands and not fully trust in Him. Usually, it is at this moment in someone's life that we become like Esther, asking for God's guidance and saving grace just as Jesus asks us to in the gospel. I find it very fitting this reading is available to us as Creighton students are experiencing "midterms". The time in which students are loaded with tests, preparing for spring break, drama, and on top of that class-work too. It is usually in this time that we channel our inner Esther and beg for God's help to rescue us. In these times of need, this is a great solution. But what would happen if we ask help before we get to that point?

This semester, when talking with a professor, I gained insight that has kept me thinking a few weeks later: "slow down before you have to stop". Truthfully we were talking about my horrific driving skills but as he took it one step further to apply it to every aspect of life, I began thinking about it. Why do I rush through campus from one place to the other? Why do we all have to rush through conversations with co-workers, friends, and children so we can get our work done sooner only to sit at the end of the day with nothing to do or go to bed feeling unfulfilled? I think the answer is we don't have to; sincerely, we don't have to. At some point we, as a society and especially as a community of faith, we have to encourage each other to call on God in times other than those of need and furthermore, be there for one another in the good too. In doing so, it seems the bad isn't as bad any more because we have developed our trust in the Lord to provide for our every need and brought people into our lives who bring us closer to God to help us along the way. In this, we are able to see we are not alone; we don't have to cry for help, but rather seek it as Jesus instructs us to do. He tells us those who seek will find, the door will be opened, and the Lord will meet our needs. When we truly believe and accept this in times of dire need and in the good times too, we are opening ourselves up to the possibility of the peace God promises us. It is a great challenge to us all, especially me, but it is this hope that gets me through the day. How lucky are we to have this assurance and acceptance from the Lord always!