Then Jesus went to work on his disciples. “Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You’re not in the driver’s seat; I am. Don’t run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I’ll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self. What kind of deal is it to get everything you want but lose yourself? What could you ever trade your soul for?” (Matthew 16:24-26 MSG)
REFLECTION
*Today’s reflection comes in the form of a reviewed excerpt from my short book, Unseen Beauty:
The weeping willows seemed to sense my shifting mood as they swayed mournfully around the lake, where a family of ducks were where they should be.
Cedric (name changed for privacy) and I were seated on a little wooden bench, and I dared not speak, as the words in my heart grew louder. Would giving him mere affection in exchange for unlimited resources, to be able to fully develop and express my creativity and fulfil all my grand plans — which included helping many people — really be so bad?
My long-suffering conscience — the unseen side of my seared soul — replied: if you are not true in your affection, then your creativity, an extension of every day integrity, will be void of truth and love. And without truth and love your expression will be meaningless, merely a clanging cymbal in an already noisy world.
PRAYER POEM:Truth
Lord, grant us grace to run the race of faith and face the future focused on You …tethered to truth in all we say and do ~ glorifying You, our conquering King, in everything.
