Don’t get stuck inside your own ego because it will become a prison in no time flat—and… don’t think that “self-realization” will make you happy. That is the way you will end in… your own hell.
~Barbara Ward (1914-1981)
Finally, my brothers,a rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you…. Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
~ paul, The Least of the Apostles, in Philippians 3 and 4
Oh beloved, it is true. We could live in joy, looking to Him and be continually renewed with the strength of His Presence. However, we are not just able to worry, we are most willing to do it. There is something within each of us that simply will not let go.
Actually, it is not something in me. It is me. For at the center of my own soul is a pit that cannot be removed with any amount of my own strength. Because to remove it would be for me to move myself, and this is not possible. Said more simply: a stone must be moved by an external force.
However, there is something else about me that is almost as difficult to change: my willingness to be changed. Oh my, there is something about a human being that would do anything other than ask for help.
We will lay in our own vomit, only getting up to drink more that we might vomit more.
We will refuse the help of others, even when it is obvious we need assistance.
We push away peace, and instead plunge our brains into a haze.
We will stay awake to use drugs, but can’t stay awake to work.
We will trade away any sense of propriety just to get that one last high.
We will sell our own wives and children to get what we want.
We would rather burn in hell apart from Him, than be free in Him.
And dear reader, if you are not a person who has dealt with chemical addiction, do not get too comfortable. Insert any other behavior or attitude or mindset as needed above, and any of us with a shred of honesty will see that we are all the most wretched of beings apart from His intervention in our lives.
And all the above is very good news.
Can we see it? Once we see our own impotence to change – and our own unwillingness to be changed – we can begin to see the power of the Gospel and the joy it brings to our lives. For, in the moment where we receive the grace to tear our eyes off of ourselves and look to Jesus for help, we see the immense strength He has to change us. We no longer think the gospel is just some way to get a little help in our lives. No, we see that the real Gospel is Jesus Himself.
Jesus Himself. Infinite G_d and creator of the universe.
Oh beloved, the vast majority will have their own way and enter willingly into destruction. G_d is not willing that any should perish, but He alone is the One able to pull you out of yourself – alive in Him. So, what is your choice? Look to Him today!
