Dying to self.
Dying to self preservation.
Dying to living a self-absorbed life.
Practice it...everyday.
"Once I really realize God is there, and become convinced of it, my heart hungers to find God there. Once my appetite is whet, I desire to find God in a much different way than I look for my car keys. What I'm really desiring is intimacy with God. I want to know I'm not alone in my life. I want to be connected with God." ---Fr. Larry Gillick
Listen to the words of Paul in 2 Corinthians 4...
We are handicapped on all sides, but we are never frustrated;
we are puzzled, but never in despair.
We are persecuted, but we never have to stand it alone:
we may be knocked down but we are never knocked out!
Every day we experience something of the death of the Lord Jesus,
so that we may also know the power of the life of Jesus
in these bodies of ours.
Yes, we who are living are always being exposed to death for Jesus' sake,
so that the life of Jesus may be plainly seen in our mortal lives.
We are always facing death, but this means that you know more and more of life...
We shall all stand together before him.
When I'm absorbed with myself - my needs, how much attention I'm getting, doing things my way, everything in reference to me - it is pretty difficult to find God. The "space" I should be reserving for God alone is pre-occupied.
However, as I chose death to preserving my own agenda, my own choices, and desires, and hunger for a loving presence, I am de-selfished and freer. Often my self-absorption or self-focus comes out of a fear that I won't have "enough." I fear any "emptiness" so I "fill" it quickly. However, when I ask to be emptied, I discover an empowering fullness.
When I become more and more focused on how very much is being offered me in the loving presence of Jesus, discovered in every part of my day, I discover the power of Augustine's prayer....
However, as I chose death to preserving my own agenda, my own choices, and desires, and hunger for a loving presence, I am de-selfished and freer. Often my self-absorption or self-focus comes out of a fear that I won't have "enough." I fear any "emptiness" so I "fill" it quickly. However, when I ask to be emptied, I discover an empowering fullness.
When I become more and more focused on how very much is being offered me in the loving presence of Jesus, discovered in every part of my day, I discover the power of Augustine's prayer....
"O Lord, Our God, you have created us for yourself and
our hearts are restless until they rest in you."
No comments:
Post a Comment