" . . . Being chosen expresses a special relationship, being known and loved in a unique way, being singled out. In our society our being chosen always implies that others are not chosen. But this is not true for God. God chooses his Son to reveal to us our chosenness. In the Kingdom of God there is not competition or rivalry. The Son of God shares his chosenness with us. In the Kingdom of God each person is precious and unique, and each person has been given eyes to see the chosenness of others and rejoice in it."
Nouwen, Bread for the Journey, 7/13 entry
I'm drawn to this comment for several reasons. For one, it reminds me of the (mostly) playful sibling rivalry that has at times gone on between my daughters, each of whom claim to be the favorite-est. It also reminded me in a more thoughtful way of the book by Chaim Potok, The Chosen, where "chosenness" is costly. Being chosen carries with it a burden of responsibility as well as a blessing. There is a yoke to be born. I vote for one that fits well, as in "my yoke is easy and my burden is light.
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.
Jesus, quoted in Mt. 11:28-30
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Giving AND Receiving
"It is important to know when we should give attention and when we need attention. Often we are inclined to give, give, and give without asking anything in return. We may think that this is a sign of generosity or even heroism. But it might be little more than a proud attitude that says, 'I don't need help from others, I only want to give.' When we keep giving without receiving we burn out quickly. Only when we pay careful attention to our own physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual needs can we be, and remain, joyful givers. There is a time to give and a time to receive. We need equal time for both if we want to live healthy lives."
from Nouwen, Bread for the Journey, 7/11 entry
It seems to me that others of us give and give without ever getting anything for ourselves in return for a different reason. Some have been taught through life experiences that they have no right to exist, let alone expect anything from anyone else; so they give and give and give themselves away hoping/longing for someone to respond in kind someday. And sometimes that happens, but often not. Often they "collect" a following of those who are happy to take and take and take, and who self-centeredly seem to think that they are doing you a favor to let you serve them.
Still others feel so blessed that they cannot help but pass along the blessing with a heart of gratitude. Their cups keep overflowing so they give and give and give without any need for a return from the recipient because they are receiving what they need from another source or sources.
Pride gives only as long as it feels good to give. Unworthiness gives until it can't anymore, ending up in emptiness, depression, and isolation. Gratitude gives in response to having been given to, and enjoys the blessing of passing on what has been freely given.
from Nouwen, Bread for the Journey, 7/11 entry
It seems to me that others of us give and give without ever getting anything for ourselves in return for a different reason. Some have been taught through life experiences that they have no right to exist, let alone expect anything from anyone else; so they give and give and give themselves away hoping/longing for someone to respond in kind someday. And sometimes that happens, but often not. Often they "collect" a following of those who are happy to take and take and take, and who self-centeredly seem to think that they are doing you a favor to let you serve them.
Still others feel so blessed that they cannot help but pass along the blessing with a heart of gratitude. Their cups keep overflowing so they give and give and give without any need for a return from the recipient because they are receiving what they need from another source or sources.
Pride gives only as long as it feels good to give. Unworthiness gives until it can't anymore, ending up in emptiness, depression, and isolation. Gratitude gives in response to having been given to, and enjoys the blessing of passing on what has been freely given.
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Faith is . . .
"When you get to the end of all the light you know, and it's time to step into the darkness of the unknown, faith is knowing that one of two things shall happen; either you will be given something solid to stand on, or you will be taught how to fly."
(Edward Teller, an American Physicist)
. . . or could it also be, Dave wonders, that when by faith you step into the darkness of the unknown and you crash and burn or get crucified because of it, God can bring good from it in entirely unforeseen and incomprehensible ways, even through suffering.
I shared this quote and my comment with a friend, and his light-filled way of saying it was, "when we find ourselves in a storm, sometimes God calms the storm, sometimes he calms his child."
(Edward Teller, an American Physicist)
. . . or could it also be, Dave wonders, that when by faith you step into the darkness of the unknown and you crash and burn or get crucified because of it, God can bring good from it in entirely unforeseen and incomprehensible ways, even through suffering.
I shared this quote and my comment with a friend, and his light-filled way of saying it was, "when we find ourselves in a storm, sometimes God calms the storm, sometimes he calms his child."
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