I think that is it. We can’t achieve holiness on our own. Holiness is the nature of God, so it is only as we are with God (He with us, really) that we begin to get glimpses of holiness. And you’re absolutely right that it cannot be found in comparison.
“If we are pursuing holiness by pursuing virtue itself, we are going to pursue the virtues as we see them. Yet it’s not only our behavior that is amiss, but also our seeing. And we miss the realness of virtue. “If you’re too virtuous, the chances are you think you are a saint already under your own steam, and therefore the real thing can never happen to you.”
I lived this way for so long and it led to severe depression, anxiety, and burnout. God moved a lot in that time, but so much time would have been saved by just turning to him first instead of trying to be so virtuous that one day, I could turn to him...I rarely did until two years ago. Like the old hymn says, if you tarry until you’re better, you will never come (to Jesus) at all. In making time with Jesus my first priority, things may not ~look~ as productive, but my soul knows better. Thank you, Lord. 🩷
“When you do see, you want others to see as well.” Reminds me of this Canadian rancher proverb: “If you want to make small changes, change the way you do things. If you want to make big changes, change the way you see things.”
This is a beautiful meditation and perfectly timed for me. I used to see more--barking my shins on all those altars--but I’ve grown older and duller in sight. I want the vision to return, to walk into holiness and the presence of God everywhere. Thank you for the reminder and encouragement.
I think that is it. We can’t achieve holiness on our own. Holiness is the nature of God, so it is only as we are with God (He with us, really) that we begin to get glimpses of holiness. And you’re absolutely right that it cannot be found in comparison.
“If we are pursuing holiness by pursuing virtue itself, we are going to pursue the virtues as we see them. Yet it’s not only our behavior that is amiss, but also our seeing. And we miss the realness of virtue. “If you’re too virtuous, the chances are you think you are a saint already under your own steam, and therefore the real thing can never happen to you.”
I lived this way for so long and it led to severe depression, anxiety, and burnout. God moved a lot in that time, but so much time would have been saved by just turning to him first instead of trying to be so virtuous that one day, I could turn to him...I rarely did until two years ago. Like the old hymn says, if you tarry until you’re better, you will never come (to Jesus) at all. In making time with Jesus my first priority, things may not ~look~ as productive, but my soul knows better. Thank you, Lord. 🩷
“When you do see, you want others to see as well.” Reminds me of this Canadian rancher proverb: “If you want to make small changes, change the way you do things. If you want to make big changes, change the way you see things.”
Oh, that's good!
This is one of the best essays I’ve ever read.
This is a beautiful meditation and perfectly timed for me. I used to see more--barking my shins on all those altars--but I’ve grown older and duller in sight. I want the vision to return, to walk into holiness and the presence of God everywhere. Thank you for the reminder and encouragement.
https://youtu.be/D981eb5sBsg?feature=shared