in the end
Treated myself to a bowl of fresh strawberries and cream, and five minutes of TV after dinner tonight. Caught the ending of a movie. In it, a young man was telling his dying father a story, transporting both to the world of imagination. In this happy world of make belief, the son carried the father to a big open area, where everyone he's ever met was there waiting for him. And they were all happy to see him. Everyone was there. Everyone was happy. Everyone celebrated the father.
Made me think. Made me look back at my own life. How many of those whom I've met would be happy to have met me? If they were to gather all together in one place, how many would smile upon seeing me? I can already name a few of whom I'd be ashamed to look into their eyes--the injury I have caused them leaves uneraseable regret, though the sin has been forgiven.
A few years ago, I had prayed that I'd be a blessing to those whom God brought my way. Since then, I have realized that that is only possible when I am in Christ, when the "I" is IN Him, when my self-interest, self-preservation, self-longings are abandonned like perfume poured onto His feet. When I try to live life on my own terms, all I end up with is involuting disintegration, so that God is proved right when He speaks, and just when He judges. Indeed, those who look to preserve their lives will lose them, and those who lose their lives for His sake will gain Life.
The only way smiles can be brought to faces that see mine is if they see not my face, but Christ's face. It has to be all Christ. That's where I want to be, found in Him. Completely His.
Lord, that I might decrease, and You increase, for good.
Made me think. Made me look back at my own life. How many of those whom I've met would be happy to have met me? If they were to gather all together in one place, how many would smile upon seeing me? I can already name a few of whom I'd be ashamed to look into their eyes--the injury I have caused them leaves uneraseable regret, though the sin has been forgiven.
A few years ago, I had prayed that I'd be a blessing to those whom God brought my way. Since then, I have realized that that is only possible when I am in Christ, when the "I" is IN Him, when my self-interest, self-preservation, self-longings are abandonned like perfume poured onto His feet. When I try to live life on my own terms, all I end up with is involuting disintegration, so that God is proved right when He speaks, and just when He judges. Indeed, those who look to preserve their lives will lose them, and those who lose their lives for His sake will gain Life.
The only way smiles can be brought to faces that see mine is if they see not my face, but Christ's face. It has to be all Christ. That's where I want to be, found in Him. Completely His.
Lord, that I might decrease, and You increase, for good.
posted by thmooj at 12:07 AM
4 Comments:
Were you watching "Big Fish"?
Your determination to bring smiles to the faces of others is an example and challenge to me. I would venture to say that because you know this is possible only when you are in Christ, you become a blessing in the best possible way. When people see and sense that you have gained your life by losing it to him, they will think well of you, appreciate you, bless you. What was it God said to Abraham? "I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you" (Gen 12:3).
Oh yeah - wishing you a deeply meaningful "in Christ" Good Friday, and resurrection joy on Easter Sunday!
Yes, i was watching the ending of "Big Fish". Good call! And thanks for the encouragement and insight! You're a thinker, eh? Wow. Gen 12:3...yeah, I can see what you're saying...incredible...
Well! I think I'm one of the people who were happy to know you, and never felt hurted! And there are many! Don't worry!
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