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Wisdom Saying
Practicing poverty of spirit is not only offering myself wholly to God and serving others in God, but such emptiness is more. This blessed poverty is the choice to empty myself of all aspiration to be what I cannot be or do, all God never intended me to be or do, all I cannot be or do for others that if I could be and do, then, I gladly would be and do. Love is not only giving who I am, uniquely gifted and graced by the Spirit of Christ; Love is giving only who I am as God has and is making me into a unique configuration of the Image that God is. Humility requires my will not only to give, but to withhold. Humbleness demands that I see the unique ways I am gifted and grace to self-give, and this, necessarily, implies I am only responsible to God and others within that unique configuration. So, while it is loving to say, "Yes, I will," I must accept that it is loving to say, "No, I cannot." My trying to be and do what I cannot for others and God can be a subtly disguised form of spiritual pride, which is the very opposite of Christlike poverty of spirit. Can the violin give its special contribution to the symphony of God if trying to sound like the piano?
*Brian K. Wilcox, July 13, 2007
Wisdom Story
Rabbi Wolf, an esteemed mystic teacher, on a very cold day drove to the celebration of a circumcision. The Zaddik spent some time in the room, but he felt compassion for the coachman waiting outside in the freezing cold. The holy man went outside to him and said, "Come in and get warm, friend."
The coachman replied, "I cannot. My horses I cannot leave alone." The man moved his arms and stamped his feet in the chilly wind.
The Rabbi spoke, "I'll take care of the horses until you get warm and return to relieve me." Initially, the coachman refused to consider such a thing, considering it improper to go inside while the Rabbi remained in the cold attending horses. Finally, he allowed the Zaddik to convince him, and he went into the house.
Everyone who came, regardless of rank or whether or not he was known to the host, enjoyed all he wanted of food and drink.
After several glasses of wine, the coachman had forgotten who was taking care of his horses outside in the freezing cold. The coachman stayed inside hour after hour.
In the meantime people had started missing the Rabbi. They assured themselves he had something important to do and would return when he had completed it.
A good time afterward, some of the guests left. When they came out into the street, where night was already descending, they saw the Rabbi. The Zaddik was standing by the carriage, moving his arms and stamping his feet in the numbing cold.
Comments
The above story teaches the priority and beauty of humility. The just use of power is central in being the Christ Presence. As the Holy Spirit grows us into God, we find the center of God is the Universal Process of Self-Giving. The Giving is not giving something. This Living Motion of Loving is giving ourselves.
The dynamism of Serving is the Heart of Love. Self-giving is the Essence of Goding. Herein we find the fulfillment of our rights by the relinquishment of our demands upon others. Rather we ask, first, "How may I serve you?"
Of course, we do not deny the gifts and graces gifted us in our serving. Sometimes, in humbleness, we admit we are not able to serve someone in the way she wants from us.
Implied in the question, "How may I serve you?," is the unique you asking the question. You are saying, "How may I serve you as I am capable of serving you?" In serving need and capability meet.
Imagine if I were a computer. I say to someone, "How may I serve you?" The person says, "I'm very hungry. I really need something to eat. Would you cook me something?" I, the computer, say, "Yes, I will delight to cook you a meal." Now, imagine the befuddlement and frustration as I, the computer, try to figure out why I cannot get the meal prepared for this hungry person. Of course, I want to serve him, but I cannot cook. Finally, I, the computer, find peace when I say, "Sir, I have come to realize I simply do not have the gift to cook you something. You will need to ask a stove or grill to do that for you. But I still want to serve you in some way I am able. Is there something I, a computer, can do for you?"
Spiritual Exercise
Write a one-sentence statement descriptive of how you see yourself gifted by God to serve others?
Suggested Reflection
How has God gifted and graced you in particular ways you can be in service to the world?
Have you ever tried to serve in a way that did not fit your spiritual giftedness? What was that like for you?
Is there any way you are trying to serve others that you need to give up, admitting that is not the way God has called you to serve?
What does it feel like to you when you are serving through your particular giftedness?
Is there any gift that God has given you that you are not using? What do you need to do to begin being a good steward of that spiritual gift?
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