As they traveled along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, "Look, there is water. What is to prevent my being baptized?" Then he ordered the chariot to stop, and Philip and the eunuch both went down into the water, and he baptized him. // Acts 8:36-38
The alarm clock jolted me awake at 4:30 a.m. on that cold Tuesday morning. I call this nauseously early. Nestled under a thick layer of warm blankets, I felt my body rebelling against the thought of standing up. Then I remembered, “I’m going to see my Lord.” Peace began to fill my heart.
It was the first scheduled shift for Adoration I had signed up for in over a year, one of my weekly devotions that had fallen by the wayside during the pandemic.
My husband and I drove to our parish in the dark and entered the silent sanctuary. The pink dated carpet and its musty incense greeted us. My Lord was waiting for me there.
Towards the end of our time slot, I moved to the singular kneeler positioned in front and center of the altar. I found myself face-to-face with Jesus. With misty eyes and a lump in my throat, I let His gaze penetrate my heart. The Purest Love was looking at me. Why had I waited for so long to come and spend time with Him?
As I read about the eunuch who couldn’t wait another moment to become a baptized child of God, I found myself wondering why I don’t pursue the Lord with the same urgency? I am struck by this hard truth—love doesn’t put things off.
How many times do I wait another week to get to Confession, to sign up for that volunteer job, to begin fasting, to start working on that bad habit?
At the end of the day, I realize I’m putting off love. When we realize that it’s His love we are putting off, the excuses start to melt away.
He’s not waiting to condemn us or hurt us. He’s waiting to pierce us with His burning love.
Sister, if there’s something you’ve been putting off, ask the Lord to show you His heart for you.
Jana Zuniga Pingel is an artist and designer based in Colorado Springs, where she resides with her husband. She earned her B.A. in Studio Art from Saint Mary’s College in South Bend, Indiana. She is the founder and owner of January Jane Shop, an online boutique for Catholic art and goods. When she isn’t busy doing entrepreneurial things, she’s cooking a new recipe, hiking a mountain, or party planning.
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