I love the Church’s teaching on catechesis, evangelization and discipleship. The relevant documents have titles that are difficult to pronounce (Apostolicam Actuositatem is particularly fun to say at parties), but they are also some of the most edifying works you’ll ever read. I genuinely enjoy pouring over these documents, synthesizing the key points, and then sharing them with others. As a result, this column has been an important vehicle for communicating what I know and love. You may be surprised to learn, though, that it hasn’t been easy.

A NEW DIRECTION
Nothing haunts me more than a blank page. Even once the words appear, they don’t flow right out of me. Nothing about my writing process is graceful or effortless. Every word has to scratch and claw to make it on the page. Every sentence must be perfect. By the time I reach my word limit, I’m exhausted!

I’ve kept at it for five years now because I like the finished product and I think other people do, too. I like having a voice in this magazine that encourages people to evangelize and that hopefully makes discipleship seem possible for anyone. I like how this column paves the way for my work with parish leaders. People always seem to know “that guy with the long beard who has a column in the Telegraph.”

But, if I have to exhaust myself every month in order to achieve these goods, then what is that saying about God’s will for me?

Sometimes, when some aspect of life is challenging, God calls me to persevere through it anyway. Marriage, parenthood, sainthood—I can’t give up on these simply because they aren’t easy. Sometimes, though, I experience adversity because I’m not aligned with God’s will. Sometimes, I’m trying to force my plan above His plan, or force success where He hasn’t gifted me. Sometimes, God actually keeps me from thriving in order to nudge me toward something else.

Once I sense that He’s closing doors and shifting the current of my life in a new direction, I must at least consider that direction.

So, after a lot of considering, I’ve decided that this column will be my last.

SACRIFICE AND SUCCESS
What does this mean for you? Well, after you shed a tear or two for “Seize the Moment,” I hope you’ll examine your own journey as a follower of Jesus. Specifically, I encourage you to identify what’s hard, consider why it’s hard, and then decide what you’re going to do about it.

What’s hard about discipleship? Is it forming a prayer habit, leading a group in prayer or proclaiming the Gospel? Is it initiating faith conversations, defending the faith, overcoming sin or drawing closer to Jesus? There are always some aspects of discipleship that are harder than others.

Why is it hard? Is it hard because you’re inexperienced? Because sin gets in the way? Because you’re trying to do what others expect you to do when God gifted you for another task of discipleship? Each reason comes with a solution that you can discover.

What are you going to do about it? You can’t just avoid everything that’s hard. God definitely wants you to create a plan for tackling those things. The good news is that He has created one, too, and it’s already in motion. Through the gifts, graces and charisms of the sacraments, He makes discipleship more than just striving and drudgery. God’s many gifts help us to persevere, occasionally change direction and ultimately experience real joy as a follower of Jesus.

And so, turn to Him. Love Him. Discern how He has uniquely gifted you. You may not seize every moment, but by His help, you’ll seize one every now and then, and through both sacrifice and success, you’ll become the disciple God is calling you to be.

Nicholas Hardesty is still available if you have any questions or comments about catechesis, evangelization or discipleship. Email [email protected].

This article appeared in the December 2023 edition of The Catholic Telegraph Magazine. For your complimentary subscription, click here.