"It is not so difficult to see that, in our particular world, we all
have a strong desire to accomplish something. Some of us think in terms
of great dramatic changes in the structure of our society. Others want
at least to build a house, write a book, invent a machine, or win a
trophy. And some of us seem to be content when we just do something
worthwhile for someone else. But practically all of us think about
ourselves in terms of our contribution to life.
But although the desire to be useful can be a sign of mental and
spiritual health in our goal-oriented society, it can become the source
of a paralyzing lack of self-esteem. More often than not, we not only
desire to do meaningful things, but we often make the result of our work
the criteria of our self-esteem.
When we start being too impressed by the result of our work, we slowly
come to the erroneous conviction that life is one large scoreboard where
someone is listing the points to measure our worth. And before we become
aware of it, we have sold our souls to the many grade-givers. That means
we are not only in the world, but of the world. Then we become what the
world makes us.
We are intelligent because someone gives us a high grade. We are helpful
because someone says, "Thanks". We are likeable because someone likes us.
And we are important because someone considers us indispensable. In
short, we are worthwhile because we have success. And the more we allow
accomplishments -- the results of our actions --to become the criteria
of our self-esteem, the more we are going to walk on our mental and
spiritual toes, never sure if we will be able to live up to the
expectations which we created by our last successes.
But to live a Christian life means to live in the world without being of
it. It is in solitude that this inner freedom can grow. Jesus went to a
lonely place to pray, that is, to grow in the awareness that all the
power he had was given to him; that all the words he spoke came from his
Father; and that all the works he did were not really his but the works
of the One who had sent him.
In solitude we can slowly discover in the center of our own self that we
are not what we can conquer, but what is given to us. In solitude we can
listen to the voice of Him who spoke to us before we could speak a word,
who healed us before we could make any gesture to help, who set us free
long before we could give love to anyone. It is in this solitude that we
discover that being is more important than having, and that we are worth
more than the results of our efforts.
In solitude we discover that our life is not a possession to be
defended, but a gift to be shared. It's there we recognize that the
healing words we speak are not just our own, but are given to us; that
the love we can express is part of a greater love; and that the new life
we bring forth is not a property to cling to, but a gift to be
received."
Joy to us all--all of our challenges this year will be met by His grace and greater love. Imagine all of the care that He is showing right now to those in the Tsunami-ridden areas. Grace be to them and to us who are all in the hand of such an Outstanding Greater One.
Yours in Him,
Tamilla
JJJ
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August 21, 2007, Dave Sable:
While this devotional was certainly an encouraging antidote to our
fast-pace mindset that is constantly on the go, I can’t help wondering
if it really is as either/or as Nouwen seems to imply. Is it really a
choice between being driven to accomplish something (bad) or just
“being” in solitude (good)?
Jesus went to a solitary place and there prayed. But then he went down
the mountain and accomplished great works. If we don’t take time for
solitude, we are in danger of leaving God out of the picture and making
everything self-purpose-driven. But then the monastic life failed to
recognize that we are called to rub shoulders with the world to be salt
and light. If the Apostles sat in the upper room simply "being", there
would be no church outside of Jerusalem.
I think this devotional provides a good balance to our natural
over-balance towards busywork and identity-driven accomplishments. But,
it is still just half the truth.
The truth is not either/or but both/and. Solitude is necessary. But so
is fulfilling God’s call of vocation. Being is important. But it doesn’t
follow that doing is unimportant.
August 26, 2007, Mark Campbell: I
don't think that Mr. Nouwen is offering an "either--or" scenario
regarding "being vs. doing" in this article. Dave's comments concerning
balance between "being and doing" are very important for former members
of the Assembly, but the article is not suggesting that we choose one
vs. the other. In my opinion, what the author is trying to establish is
the "why" behind what we do as believers.
If my "doing" is an attempt to find acceptance, self satisfaction, etc.
we will end up running like a hamster on that little wheel of continual
seeking to build self esteem via my own efforts. In other words, my
inner sense of contentment is constantly dependent on how well I can
perform vs. what God has accomplished by his grace.
In order to be centered on God's love for us--- that gives us all our
inner strength---- we don't have to become monastic/escapist in our
living day to day. Grace removes us from the need to "earn" by our
doing, as the value of our life has been dramatically raised via the
placing of our life in Christ.
The trouble I have is keeping the above in mind when confronted by the
day to day. I think this probably is especially difficult for former
members of the Assembly because we were continually taught that our
"full salvation" was dependent on how well we could actualize our faith.
Dave's words of caution re. the discussion of "being and doing" are a
needed consideration, as there are certain dangers associated with the
misuse of these words. One danger would be to seek "a state of mind"
where I attempt to achieve an inner feeling of contentment via a
meditative activity (as in chanting, prayer reading, etc.).
It would seem that God provides enough bumps in life with the intention
of keeping us from withdrawing into an escapist "state of mind." Just
because we "feel" troubled, or are jarred by our failures to "live-up"
to our own expectations, it doesn't mean our life with God is on the
wrong path.
However, on the other side of the issue, there are those former members
who are still longing to join up with a group of "on-fire" believers who
are "seriously" seeking "God's best," as they are disillusioned with
what they see as very tepid faith in the churches they visit. These
former members are still striving to be high achievers in their faith
vs. recognizing that we are "His workmanship" and to "the praise of the
glory of His grace."
It is interesting what Paul says re. this issue of placing value on
fellow believers: "---those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are
indispensable---" God places value on an individual based on what God
can do vs. what the capabilities of the "weak" one are.
This weak one may be very inept at accomplishing things that we might
admire as demonstrating heroic Christian behavior. However, what "seems"
to appear via the performance of an individual does not always tell what
God is doing in that life.
I think we need to take the same attitude toward our own lives (which is
the point of the Nouwen article) toward ourselves in regard to "being
and doing."
God Bless, Mark C.