I have been pondering this all day. And it has been feeling so negative! All about giving up whatever I prefer - or at least being willing to give it up. But I just read something else that helped me. In sports they talk about "mailing it in" when a very gifted athlete does not try very hard. It is this that made me think of something my sister would tell her art students in studio classes - they had to be "on purpose" while there. I think that is what Jesus means for us to do in life - realizing what our "purpose" is - to give our all to it - changing out priorities, probably. Then we will not "mail it in"!
Welcome, Pat. I hope you get as much out of this as I have. "Jesus looked him hard in the eye." That's the passage that stood out for me. Am I worthy of Jesus' attention? If he looks at me, will he feel love and find it? What is it that I need to relinquish to follow Jesus? I see so many faults, and not all about possessions. There seems a very high mountain to climb.
Welcome Pat! Beverly, I think Jesus would look you in the eye and see a marvelous person who is really trying to do her part. I think the reason this man asked the question was because he was so sure he was doing it all right. I can honestly say that the members of Mary Circle do not suffer from that same confidence. We seem to be questioning ourselves and our choices all of the time. I pray that Jesus would look us in the eye, love us and have something different to suggest to each of us. What would that be....
I have been pondering this all day. And it has been feeling so negative! All about giving up whatever I prefer - or at least being willing to give it up. But I just read something else that helped me. In sports they talk about "mailing it in" when a very gifted athlete does not try very hard. It is this that made me think of something my sister would tell her art students in studio classes - they had to be "on purpose" while there. I think that is what Jesus means for us to do in life - realizing what our "purpose" is - to give our all to it - changing out priorities, probably. Then we will not "mail it in"!
ReplyDeleteHi, I have been reading Solo along with you all but have been unsucessful in logging in until today???.Pat Oberholtzer
ReplyDeleteWelcome, Pat. I hope you get as much out of this as I have. "Jesus looked him hard in the eye." That's the passage that stood out for me. Am I worthy of Jesus' attention? If he looks at me, will he feel love and find it? What is it that I need to relinquish to follow Jesus? I see so many faults, and not all about possessions. There seems a very high mountain to climb.
ReplyDeleteWelcome Pat! Beverly, I think Jesus would look you in the eye and see a marvelous person who is really trying to do her part. I think the reason this man asked the question was because he was so sure he was doing it all right. I can honestly say that the members of Mary Circle do not suffer from that same confidence. We seem to be questioning ourselves and our choices all of the time. I pray that Jesus would look us in the eye, love us and have something different to suggest to each of us. What would that be....
ReplyDelete