"Why am I afraid to dance, I who love music and rhythm and grace and song and laughter? Why am I afraid to live, I who love life and the beauty of flesh and the living colors of the earth and sky and sea? Why am I afraid to love, I who love love?" from Eugene O'Neill's play The Great God Brown
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Making our home in Jesus
"Freedom in Christ produces a healthy independence from peer pressure, people pleasing, and the bondage of human respect. The tyranny of public opinion can manipulate our lives...the expectations of others can exert a subtle but controlling pressure on our behavior...In Christ Jesus freedom from fear empowers us to let go of the desire to appear good, so that we can move freely in the mystery of who we really are. Preoccupation with projecting the "nice guy" image, impressing newcomers with our experience, and relying heavily on the regard of others leads to self-consciousness, sticky pedestal behavior, and unfreedom in the iron grip of human respect...
"My ravenous insecurities made my sense of self-worth rise and fall like a sailboat on the winds of another's approval or disapproval...Living by grace inspires a growing consciousness that I am what I am in the sight of Jesus and nothing more. It is His approval that counts. Making our home in Jesus, as He makes His in us, leads to creative listening: Has it crossed your mind that I am proud you accepted the gift of faith I offered you? Proud that you freely chose Me, after I had chosen you, as your friend and Lord? Proud that, with all your warts and wrinkles, you haven't given up? Proud that you believe in Me enough to try again and again? Are you aware how I appreciate you for wanting Me? I want you to know how grateful I am when you pause to smile and comfort a child who has lost her way. I am grateful for the hours you devote to learning more about Me; for the word of encouragement you passed on to your burnt-out pastor; for your visit to the shut-in; for your tears for the [handicapped]. What you did to them, you did to Me. Alas, I am sad when you do not believe that I have totally forgiven you or you feel uncomfortable approaching Me."
Taken from Brennan Manning's book The Ragamuffin's Gospel
This week I have been inspired by these words. I hope they serve to encourage you as well.
- Mary Anne
"My ravenous insecurities made my sense of self-worth rise and fall like a sailboat on the winds of another's approval or disapproval...Living by grace inspires a growing consciousness that I am what I am in the sight of Jesus and nothing more. It is His approval that counts. Making our home in Jesus, as He makes His in us, leads to creative listening: Has it crossed your mind that I am proud you accepted the gift of faith I offered you? Proud that you freely chose Me, after I had chosen you, as your friend and Lord? Proud that, with all your warts and wrinkles, you haven't given up? Proud that you believe in Me enough to try again and again? Are you aware how I appreciate you for wanting Me? I want you to know how grateful I am when you pause to smile and comfort a child who has lost her way. I am grateful for the hours you devote to learning more about Me; for the word of encouragement you passed on to your burnt-out pastor; for your visit to the shut-in; for your tears for the [handicapped]. What you did to them, you did to Me. Alas, I am sad when you do not believe that I have totally forgiven you or you feel uncomfortable approaching Me."
Taken from Brennan Manning's book The Ragamuffin's Gospel
This week I have been inspired by these words. I hope they serve to encourage you as well.
- Mary Anne
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)