Nothing is more vexing than being confronted with reality.
A string of truths or accurate revelations can be one of the more upsetting circumstances in life. Have you been there?
We’re hoping we have it all, or mostly, together. At times we are certain we do. Hello, red flag, there you are!
In times of spiritual obedience, I start to pat myself on the back. It’s ironic, yes.
In times of a broken and willing spirit, I like to revel in my desperation. “I come to you with nothing, Lord. Nothing.”
This may slide over to, something like, “Lord, thank you for not making me like other men…or…you know… “those people”. (See Luke 18:11)
The line is more fine than you realize…then I realize. It is a theological misconstruction to feel grandiose, at all.
It stops worship.
O, God, that we might realize our sinfulness.
A word for reflection, today:
Had you but once entered into perfect communion with Jesus or tasted a little of His ardent love, you would care nothing at all for your own comfort or discomfort but would rejoice in the reproach you suffer; for love of Him makes a man despise himself.
A man who is a lover of Jesus and of truth, a truly interior man who is free from uncontrolled affections, can turn to God at will and rise above himself to enjoy spiritual peace.
–Thomas á Kempis, The Imitation of Christ