Jesus, the missing link

By Peggy Sue Mutchler
Program and Events Coordinator

Do you feel that? That nip in the air of the soft September breeze? Oh, who am I kidding, we live in South Dakota—our gentle cool breeze is a sixty-mile-an-hour wind gust! Isn’t that how life is, though? There are days filled with peaceful joy, then whap! Out of nowhere, chaos erupts. I especially find this to be true this time of year, as summer comes to a close and changes in our schedules lead to new adventures. Vacations wrap up, kids head back to school, grandparents head south for the winter, the grass starts turning brown, and the leaves begin to change . . . change. Some fear change, some embrace it—I am in the middle of change. Jesus has been working on my hardened heart for several years now—He is quite persistent in transforming my heart and emptying me of myself.

Let me introduce myself, as I am here to serve you, the Diocese of Rapid City, as the new Ministry Events Program Coordinator. I am Peggy Sue Mutchler. Child of God. Wife of David. Mother of seven children. Grandmother of three. I also serve at the parish on many levels, including as the Director of Religious Education at Saint Rose of Lima Parish in Hill City, as well as on their Parish Leadership Team.

I have lived a beautifully blessed life and was living life to the fullest—until I didn’t.

I had my Jesus, my faith, my parents of 60 years together until my dad passed away, my comforts of home, love of family, joy of children, many heartaches, and much suffering. A full life. All of that, but something was missing. What I didn’t have was a clear understanding of who Jesus is. What I thought I loved was actually a Who—and I discovered that I didn’t have a relationship with my Jesus like I thought I did. My beautiful life was missing the most important element it needed to truly live: a relationship with Christ, Our Lord, Our God, Our Maker.

How did I discover this missing link? I accidentally stepped into an opportunity that transformed my life forever: Cor ad Cor. If you haven’t heard of Cor ad Cor, it is a profound spiritual journey into the life of Christ through scripture, teaching participants the Ignatian Exercises along the way. It shows us how to pray, simply sitting with God for 20 minutes a day.

Through Cor ad Cor, God met me where I was, but He did not leave me there. One scripture at a time, He spoke to me. He showed me His wounds, and I showed Him mine. But He told me, “My wounds have a purpose ~ yours… you need to let go of them. I want them. Give them to Me.” God has invited me into healing, into Jesus’ wounds—to hide, to be protected by His precious blood. He has invited me to enter His unfathomable Mercy; He wants to scatter my darkness with His light. He has asked me to surrender fully to His Will. I am being called to complete submission.

In Jeremiah 48:12, the Lord says, “Behold, the days are coming when I shall send him to tilters who will tilt him, and empty his vessels, and break his jars in pieces.” This speaks to me because, little by little, God has chipped away at my hardened heart, breaking down wall after wall, turning me into His empty vessel—yet a vessel of hope. My heart strives to be His heart. He is slowly filling this hopeful vessel with His desires for my life through the Holy Spirit, creating me anew into the unique person He made me to be, as quoted in Matthew 19:26, “with God all things are possible.” Do you want to know the best part?

He is calling out to you in the same way. He desires you.

So, in this season of change, do not forget to schedule time with Christ. I invite you to clear your calendar completely. Yes, you heard me correctly. Clear your calendars.

Joshua 1:9 states, “Be bold and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” He is already walking with you. So, after you clear your calendar, schedule Christ in first. Then plan your days around Him. The first thing God wants you to schedule is His Heart. How? Through prayer. Schedule daily prayer. Draw God in. Let Him gaze upon you with His love and mercy. Let Him gush over you! You are His child. You are His beloved. Nothing you have done or ever could do will change His love for you. He has always loved you, whether you have felt it or not. He desires nothing more than you. He wants your heart. Schedule Him in.