Worry is Selfish

Jesus said, "To whom much has been given, much will be required."

Lately I realized that the things I have-- both tangible and intangible-- are incredible! When I consider the big picture, there is very little suffering (read: legitimate suffering) in my life. My suffering is largely self-inflicted through worry, fear, and pride. How much LIFE I miss because of these sinful habits of the heart!

I heard a story about a painful journey one family experienced, almost losing their son, who is now going through rehabilitation and learning to walk and talk again in his early twenties. In many ways it was a wake-up call to look beyond myself and my perceived problems.

God is using this young man to bless the lives of so many, in his weakness. And I-- I know I am valuable, loved, and redeemed-- but really, God doesn't need me. So why not embrace LIFE as He intended?! How much time and energy I unnecessarily waste.

How selfish and prideful I am, to think that worrying about decisions and trying to control things will somehow impact the Kingdom.

God is so gracious to call me to serve and remain faithful to me-- as He lovingly works to continue to save me from myself. In light of everything-- all the problems and frustrations people experience everyday, and my freedom and ease and comfort-- I say, Bring it on.

Puritan Prayer

O LORD,

I am a shell full of dust,

but animated with an invisible rational soul

and made anew by an unseen power of grace;

Yet I am no rare object of valuable price,

but one that has nothing and is nothing,

although chosen of thee from eternity,

given to Christ, and born again;

I am deeply convinced of the evil and misery of a sinful state,

of the vanity of creatures,

but also of the sufficiency of Christ.

When thou wouldst guide me I control myself,

When thou wouldst be sovereign I rule myself.

When thou wouldst take care of me I suffice myself.

When I should depend on thy providings I supply myself,

When I should submit to thy providence I follow my will,

When I should study, love, honour, trust thee, I serve myself;

I fault and correct thy laws to suit myself,

Instead of thee I look to man's approbation,

and am by nature an idolater.

Lord, it is my chief design to bring my heart back to thee.

Convince me that I connot be my own god, or make myself happy,

nor my own Christ to restore my joy,

nor my own Spirit to teach, guide, and rule me.

Help me to see that grace does this by providential affliction,

for when my credit is god thou dost cast me lower,

when riches are my idol thou dost wing them away,

when pleasure is my all thou dost turn it into bitterness.

Take away my roving eye, curious ear, greedy appetite, lustful heart;

Show me that none of these things,

can heal a wounded conscience,

or support a tottering frame,

or uphold a departing spirit.

Then take me to the cross and leave me there.

The Valley of Vision, quoted in Simple Faith by Charles Swindoll

Collected Quotes

Over time I have come across of variety of quotes that mean something to me. Often I typed them out and taped them to my desk, as a reminder. Well, I decided my space was getting too cluttered and that it would be valuable to post them here. Hope they encourage and challenge your heart and mind.

Without a bitter experience of our own inadequacy and poverty [we] are quite unfitted to bear the burden of spiritual ministry. It takes a [wo]man who has discovered something of the measures of [her] own weakness to be patient with the foibles of others.
Such a [wo]man also has a first-hand knowledge of the loving care of the Chief Shepherd, and His ability to heal one who has come humbly to trust in Him and Him alone.
Therefore [s]he does not easily despair of others, but looks beyond sinfulness, willfulness and stupidity, to the might of unchanging love.
The Lord Jesus does not give the charge, "Be a shepherd to My lambs... to My sheep," on hearing Peter's self-confident affirmation of undying loyalty, but He gives it after he has utterly failed to keep his vows and has wept bitterly in the streets of Jerusalem.

- J.C. Metcalfe
(Quoted in Faith is Not a Feeling)

Earth's crammed with heaven,
and every common bush afire with God;
But only he who sees takes off his shoes;
The rest sit round it and pluck blackberries.

- Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Great disciples become great because they have never done their own thing. "God's thing" is their thing. They have no desire to be free spirits, yet oddly they find personal freedom by surrendering compulsive individualism. Self-denial... is the agenda of those who have escaped all need to "be themselves."

- Calvin Miller