My Friends, let there be no doubt that when the Divine wishes you to learn a lesson, you will learn it one way or the other...and typically, because of our inherent egos, we must learn it the hard way. Yesterday was such a day.
Imagine you are getting ready to run a very important race...you've trained, prepared, and built the body necessary to run this race. You've collected resources, you've made the bargains, you've sacrificed time and energy for this race.
You wait all day long until the moment of the race, but when you show up and take your place, you realize that all the other runners are gone. The spectators are nowhere to be seen, and you're standing alone, wondering what was going on.
The lesson here? Do not place your hopes for satisfaction and acceptance on other people. Your ability to be welcomed and respected comes directly from your belief that God will welcome and accept you, no matter who you are surrounded by or what their attitude is. The more you hope for another person to acknowledge your worth, the less time you focus on acknowledging your OWN self worth, and thereby separate yourself from the peace and unity that is found in God.
Christ taught that we should not worry, that God would take care of us as God takes care of the sparrow and the lilies. I know that is impossibly hard to believe in and to follow on a daily basis, but the alternative extreme (which we so often live) is to surrender control to the whims of "them" (whoever "they" are) and letting other people control your emotions for you. Stand up for yourself by ensuring that you won't have to stand up for yourself...place yourself in a mindset where you can be proud of how you prepared for the race, and let go of the end results. In the end, serving God is about personal growth, because you are only as good a minister to others as you are to yourself.
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2 comments:
I am so glad I met you. Bless you, and thank you. Holy wisdom, Holy words you offer.
Hi Roger!! I saw you mention your blog on facebook, so I stopped by to look. Wonderful! I also peeked at your art, the photos are great, as are the other things you do! I enjoyed looking at them. Have you checked out the ECVA site at all? www.ecva.org (Episcopal Church & Visual Arts) They have calls to artists a few times a year. There is a current one out now, deadline Nov. 1st., fyi.
Sounds like you are doing well down there in paradise, my sister lived in St. Thomas long ago (for almost a year), she loved the area and the people.
My prayers for God's continued blessings to you... I'm SURE you have been and are a blessing there too!!
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