Triggers

Armodoxy for Today

Triggers

In the parable of the “Prodigal Son” (Luke 15), there is a point at which the wayward boy comes to his senses. He is heard saying, “How many of my father’s hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father…’”

Life may be compared to a roller coaster ride, with ups and downs. Some ups are high enough to bring us down quickly. From the depths of our low spots the climb up might be slow, but steady. On the track there are switches that trigger the coaster car to journey up, or to naturally fall. There are, also, points of no-return, most notably when we first sit in the coaster-car and the attendant releases the break for our journey through the twists and turns.

One of the goals of religion is regain control over life, so that we can be more than a car gliding on a track. What triggers us to say “enough” of the down-spots? What triggers us to turn back to safety? to home? to God? We all have those triggers, what are yours?

We pray Shnorali’s 12^th hour prayer, “Lord, who has willed all that is good, and who is the director of the will, allow me not to follow the inclinations of my heart; but lead me to always walk according to your good pleasure. Amen.