St. Francis Xavier and Avoiding Spinning

In my family, we call it spinning. It’s when you get going on a project or obsessed with a problem, and you consult many sources, look at many possible solutions, and spread yourself thin, but you never actually make process on the task at hand. All your energy is spent spinning.

When I find myself spinning, I think of the quote from St. Francis Xavier, co-founder of the Society of Jesus: “It is not the actual physical exertion that counts toward a man’s progress, nor the nature of the task, but the spirit of faith with which it is undertaken.”

Xavier speaks to our focus. Where is our focus? Is it on ourselves and our own power? Or is it focused on God’s power and plan for us?

Changing our focus brings to mind God’s words to Samuel, when Samuel thought perhaps David’s older, taller, more handsome brother was God’s pick for a king. God corrected Samuel by saying, “The LORD does not see as mortals see; they look on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7)

God does not see the way we do. He looks at our character and the truth of the situation. God can see the larger picture and how this one moment might fit in the grand story of our lives or even in the larger story of salvation history.

St. Francis Xavier knew that sometimes we do things in our own strength. Or we spin, exerting all our energy without an aim. Why are we doing this? Is it because we trust in the Lord? Or in ourselves?

Xavier knew he must keep his focus and faith on Jesus as he left Europe and ventured into India and eventually Japan, preaching the Gospel. His work was difficult. He ministered to the poorest of the poor, living and eating as they did. He continued Jesus’ work of ministering to the sick, especially lepers. This work took up much of his time, leaving him exhausted. And yet, all of his letters exude joy. Joy is another indication of living in the Spirit, for it is a fruit of the Spirit.

St. Francis Xavier, for his marvelous work spreading the Gospel, is a patron saint of missions. His good work for the kingdom inspires us to live out the words of Jesus’ Great Commission to go and preach to all the nations (Matthew 28:19).

In our family, we have another saying you might have heard before, “God has better plans for us than we have for ourselves.” If we keep our eyes on Jesus, small acts of service and love, like those lived out by St. Francis Xavier, will reap more rewards than we could ever imagine.