J52 That's just not who I am

You mean, I have to let you change who I am? But I wanna be ME...

Matthew 19: 20 "The young man said to him, 'All these I have observed; what do I still lack?'"

Cyril: "...the life lived according to the law is a kind of introduction to the eternal life, briefly acquainting trainees to the things above. ... The law is the starting point for social justice. Christ is the perfection." (1)

Reflection:

How we identify ourselves to others tells them our priorities in life. Here's some possibilities we've all heard:

I'm a New Yorker, a Texas Longhorn, an oncologist, a small business owner, a poli-sci major, a tri-delt, a farm boy, a city boy, a Braves fan, a marathon runner...(2)

These identities can be so paramount that they appear on bumper stickers and license plate frames. So that when you are behind me at the light, you will know that I vacation at Hilton Head, have a child with good grades, lean this way politically, or want to save the whales. Or, unlike everyone else, I really, really, want world peace. (3)

Some years ago I was being interviewed for a job; I had just retired from nearly a quarter century in the army. I was asked how I would describe myself in three words. Praise God! I didn't have to think -- "I'm a Christian Family Man." [Trying, anyway...]

How about that rich, young, ruler? Prepared to do many things, but at his core, not change who he was. Not replace the desires of his heart, with the desires of God's heart. It wasn't the money. It was who he wanted to be, that he could not give up.

47 years and counting, God has been whittling away at me. Nothing stopping Him but my own carnal self... the walk is not my doing -- it is letting go and letting Christ do.

My prayer today: Gracious, patient Creator God! I am sinful and live in a world much debased from how you made it to be. Restore to me the purity of heart that was always your intention for me. Let it never be, that I am so enamored of some carnal thing, that it hardens my heart to the desires you would see in me. Not my dreams, Lord, but Your will be done.

(1) Cyril of Alexandria (d. 444), "Fragment 218." In ACCoS NT Vol 1b.

(2) (The writer is none of these...)

(3) (...and neither owns these statements nor posts anything on his car!)

04/24/2020