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Today’s Scripture ~ II Thessalonians 3.5a (NLV)
5 May the Lord lead your hearts into the love of God.
Wisdom Story
The Teacher’s disciples were confused as to why their Teacher did not get bothered by disciples getting upset at him and leaving the group. They inquired of him on the matter. He replied, “Don’t attempt to teach a pig to sing. It only wastes your time and irritates the pig.”
Comments
Consent is central to the truly spiritual attitude. Acts of apparent devotion can be manipulated or coerced by tactics of fear; this apparent devotion can, also, be inherited in a family or religious tradition, or even as part of patriotism; as in, every good American must be a good Christian.
True devotion, however, is only by surrender. This surrender is an act of love. God, Who is Love, leads us into this true love for God; we do not generate this love outside the One we call love forming it in our inner persons through consent to be transformed into the heart of Christ.
The only way true devotion can remain alive in a group is the openness to honor the freedom others exercise to choose the opposite of true devotion, which is usually, at best, a shallow religiousness based on an inherited faith, an ought-to morality, or a fear of eternal damnation.
This shallow religiousness is not truly of true love, at least at any level of pure intention, even though it might appear devout. Can you imagine a truly beloved one saying to the spouse, “I love you, for that is what I know I should do,” or “By loving you I hope I get merit to get to heaven,” or “I fear you leaving me, so I love you”? No, that is ridiculous.
But how much more immature the selfish and shallow motives by which many are religious and many others try to impress with their claim to some enlightened spirituality, which is for them another escape to the never-never land of pleasing self by appearing other and better than the rest of “unenlightened” humankind.
Good news is that often a truly spiritual devotion begins as a selfish and impure religiousness. Spirit is gracious and accepts us where we are. But let us not remain in such immatureness after we are shown we need to grow toward a higher expression of truly following the great Teacher, Jesus Christ, and in a way that leads more into selfless loving of others, including those apparently most unlike us.
Suggested Reflection
How would you respond if someone asked you, “Is your devotion to Christ truly from a heart of love for Christ?”
*Story adapted from Anthony De Mello.
Brian is available to respond to requests pertaining to seeking a Spiritual Director, his speaking, doing classes, workshops, or retreats for churches or other spiritual groups. He will inform regarding how to receive his other writings or offer replies to comments or questions.
Brian K. Wilcox offers "The Light Shines" daily devotionals as part of the nurture and outreach ministry of Christ Community United Methodist Church, Punta Gorda, FL, where he serves as pastor. Please share these devotionals with others and invite them to write Brian at shalom77@embarqmail.com to join the daily devotional list.
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*Brian K. Wilcox lives with his wife, Rocio, and their two dogs, St. Francis and Bandit Ty, in Clearwater and Punta Gorda, Florida. He is a United Methodist pastor and vowed member of Greenbough House of Prayer, a contemplative Christian community in Georgia. His passion is living a contemplative life and inspiring others to experience a deeper relationship with Christ through contemplative prayer and living.
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