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Scripture~John 10.9-19 (NLT)
Yes, I am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved. They will come and go freely and will find good pastures. The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life [Greek, super-abundant life].
Wisdom Saying
I know of no evil in humankind not linked, in some way, to an undue, misguided focus on oneself or such focus extended by a group turned in on itself. This group thinks itself superior to others by divine or political, or both, right. This cult-like pseudo-community, not unknown in even so-called enlightened religion and politics, is often thoroughly tainted by such diabolical self-fascination. For often such group loyalty is only the collective hangout for hiding of insecure, prideful, and selfish individuals who collect their frail egos into a fortress of poisonous party loyalty. Still, the motive of such a collective is the agreed upon covenant that guarantees each protection of and justification for individual self-infatuation. And, adding a divine or democratic approval of the group makes the group even more dangerously diabolical to the welfare of the larger society and world.
*Brian K. Wilcox
Wisdom Story
A seeker visited an aged Christian Sage. He said, "Sir, I long so much to enjoy the abundant Life that Jesus promised us. I've been praying for it many years. I attend a church regularly and pray daily. I read the Bible daily, and I try to live a good moral life." The Sage replied, "Seems to me that you are doing many good things." "Yes," replied the man, "but, I still seem unable to enjoy this abundant Life our Lord spoke of."
The Sage spoke, "I may have an answer for you." He said to the man, "Breathe in and out deeply a few times. Then, breathe in and hold the in-breath until I tell you to breathe out."
The man, confused by these odd instructions, nevertheless did what the Sage said. After a few deep routines of breathing, he held the air in his lungs. After a time he began to feel compressed inside. He could feel his face turning hot. He kept looking at the Sage and hoping for the word to signal he could breathe out. Finally, when he felt he had just about held his breath as long as possible, the Sage exclaimed, "Breathe out, now!"
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The seeker released the constriction of air. Breathing out and in several times, he felt much relief. He was thankful to be breathing freely in and out again.
Spoke the Sage, "See, that's your problem, sir. Even as you clung to your breath, and it was blocking the inflow of fresh air, your clinging to yourself is blocking the inflow of the fresh, abundant Life that Jesus said we can enjoy."
"But, Sir," protested the man, "do you not recall all the things that I told you that I as a good Christian do." "Yes," replied the Sage, "and all that you're doing is you doing it. Again, that's your problem. How, friend, can you enjoy the abundant Life, when you're clinging to your life, for even your effort to enjoy the abundant Life is itself a clinging to yourself?"
The man felt himself offended. So, he left and concluded the Sage was not very wise at all.
Suggested Reflection
What in this writing challenged you in regard to the way to enjoy the abundant Life? Can this Life be enjoyed by anyone or any group apart from the larger good of society? ... blessing of the helpful diversity in religion and politics?
Rejoice!
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
See next page for Invitation to writer's contemplative village, purpose of OneLife, data on ordering author's book and upcoming devotionals 2008, and material on citations.
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