Spiritual Sisters
Spiritual Healing Serene Salad
Spiritual Voices Creativity Bakery
In Control of Ourselves
It is so easy to fool ourselves into believing we are giving to others when we are really wanting to control them. If we are not sure which we are doing, examining the deed in the light of this passage will help us know whether we are truly giving: "And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." --Colossians 3:17.
When we give to others, never expecting to receive in return, we set in motion a wonderful cycle: we allow God to intercede on our behalf and to see we are given those things which God values more highly:
"We cannot use created things for the glory of God unless we are in control of ourselves. We cannot be in control of ourselves if we are under the power of the desires and appetites and passions of the flesh. We cannot give ourselves to God if we do not belong to ourselves. And we do not belong to ourselves if we belong to our own ego.The real purpose of Christian asceticism is then not to liberate the soul from the desires and needs of the body, but to bring the whole person into complete submission to God’s will as expressed in the concrete demands of life in all its existential reality." --Thomas Merton, Seasons of Celebration
Jane Mullikin
Having another hold us so tightly we feel as though we are suffocating is a very uncomfortable feeling. Does the other person realize we feel like we are suffocating, probably not. They may believe they are being kind and giving to help us. Now, with thoughts of a time in mind when you felt suffocated, examine your attitude of giving to see if you were trying to control the other person or if you were giving to them because you knew they needed help.
More Articles by Jane
Spirit - Finding Hope in a World of Uncertainty