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Wisdom Saying
Francois De Salignac De Mothe-Fenelon (1651-1715), Christian Counsel~
It is His presence that causes us to go forth from self, and when He has accomplished that, we are in peace. But how are we to go forth? Simply by turning gently toward God, and gradually forming the habit of so doing, by a faithful persistence in it, whenever we perceive that we have wondered from Him.
Comments
We suffer much disquiet by focus on self. We endure much pain by its demands. Self expects persons and events to bring comfort and pleasure to itself. Self foments disharmony within and without by self pressing opinions upon others. Self is a whirlpool seeking to pull and drown all others into its agenda. Self must be right, and even if all others be wrong.
Self uses religion to condemn, for it sees in faith the means to its justification and all of dissimilar faith condemnation. Self abandons the God it claims to love, to form a god who looks like itself, thinks like itself, and acts like itself.
Self focusing on itself keeps us within self. This is the root of the immense tree of suffering. This sheds a huge shade on everyone and, thereby, blocks out the Sun that seeks to console and guide us to and in the way of peace.
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How do we escape self focusing on itself? De Fenelon offers the answer, and too simple for many to believe: "His presence." We do not escape self by self. Self cannot free itself. This intensifies self focusing on self, the relationship bringing so much suffering.
A relationship outside self is required for self to escape self. Response to God in loving communion, a simple, gentle turning to the Light, draws self from self into Christ. This Sun transforms self into the Sun, in and with and through Whom the offer of enjoying loving union is available to all by Grace.
Suggested Reflection
Do you know someone who seems to live transformed through loving union with God? What are traits of the person that evidence such a relationship with Christ Jesus? Do you see any of those traits emerging through your relationship with the Holy Spirit?
See next page for details on OneLife Ministries, Brian's book An Ache for Union, and material pertaining to sources used in the writing.
Feel free to submit a query. Thanks! Brian K. Wilcox
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