Just act like a baby.
"O LORD, my heart is not lifted up, my eyes are not raised too high;
I do not occupy myself with things too great and too marvelous for me.
But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a child quieted at its mother's breast;
like a child that is quieted is my soul." Psalm 131 (from today's Morning Prayer)
"My heart is not lifted up nor my eyes raised to high." Whether conscious or not of one’s mask of superiority,it is difficult to be real and at peace with God, oneself, and others while wearing a mask of superiority. Arrogance (or haughtiness) truly is a false mask that attempts to disguise or hide inferiority. When I am tempted to put on the mask of superiority by acting arrogant it is often an indication that I feeling vulnerable, inferior and my soul is not quiet.
"I do not occupy myself with things too great or too marvelous for me." Occupying myself with things too great or to marvelous for me is a form of arrogance turned inward. It is my wearing a mask attempting to fool myself by thinking that I can carry the weight of the world. Do you ever do that?
One has to silence those voices that demand more than one can give. Our worth is not found in performance. And certainly we can find no rest and real security by allowing ourselves to be occupied by things too great or marvelous for ourselves.
Like the Psalmist, satisfaction and rest comes from letting go of those things we have no power over: other people, places and things. What they think of us. How they feel about us. What they do. How they act. We were not intended to find our indentity by how others perceive us or by what marvelous things occupy God's place in our lives. Jesus' most authentic self as a human was found in who he was as a child of God. The same is true for us.
Like the baby in his mother’s arms, I can calm and quiet my soul by allowing myself to rest secure and find my satisfaction by feeding on the only One who can nourish me, give me life, and my identity, God, the tender but strong mothering presence.
Perhaps the key to security, rest, and satisfaction with God (and myself) is to stop faking superiority with arrogance and to act more like a baby.
2 Comments:
With 3 under 5, I'm constantly reminded of how acting like a babe or having child-like faith can bring real awe, wonder and authentic spirituality to our walk. The last 3 nites I've had little Aly Kay (9 months) find peace on my chest and I can honestly say that I'm not sure that there is any greater feeling for either of us. One thing that we may miss is how the Father longs for our sweaty head to be still and perhaps find complete satisfaction in His perfect peace on His mighty bosom.
Rick, I really love your blog and would like for you to consider allowing us to link it to our site. It's an attempt to connect and articulate the manner of our walk in a real world, instead of the christian subculture. If nothing else, I'd love your feedback on what we've got going on over here. Give it a look and let me know if it is something that you could see yourself apart of. Thanks for your words and your consideration...
peace
thanks rick again for those meditative words. my biggest mistake i make is seeing my identity in not who i am but in what i do. all this will do is throw me off the path of oneness with my Creator.
here's a good quote from my professor lee camp: "when i feel temptation arising in my heart, i quickly say a prayer of thanksgiving. i'm greatful for God's power to relieve me off this temptation. only a dependence on God will save me."
Post a Comment
<< Home