Image Management
What I am thinking about right now is this: image management. Bill and I were just talking about our tendency to manage the external instead of the internal. The inner journey that Christ invites us to take is harder to quantify than the external journey that we humans tend to focus upon. We can measure the outside work (our appearance, our accomplishments, our compliments) but the inner work that is happening in our souls is more hidden, harder to address, harder to articulate.
Jesus tells us to love our God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength and to love our neighbor as ourself. So that's a three-pronged command: love God, love others, love me. That's enough. That's all.
Can I chuck away the lean I have toward designing my image, tending to it, tweaking it? No, I can't. What brings me back to my senses? Is it knowing that I am a sheep? I may be a white sheep or a black sheep or a brown fuzzy one. I bustle along with the other sheep, seeking the Shepherd. We do bump into one another and occasionally we might turn our head to look at each other, sizing up the one next to us that may have given us a slight shove. Then, we turn our head back to the forward position, toward Him.
100 Days in the Secret Place by Gene Howard. Bill and Brad are reading this book. I am going to read it, too. One day at a time.
It's an effort to cultivate the inner journey, that place in my soul where eternal deposits are made.
15 comments:
A wonderful Sunday comtemplation. I am off to church where I go each Sunday...to worship, to ponder and to work on that inner journey. Thanks for sharing.
Your thoughts are helpful this morning, before I head to church and I like the idea of not changing our outer but rather our inner self.
I have enjoyed reading what you say in this post and thinking it over too. I know I have never met you but I do feel that I know a lot about you from here and of course our correspondence. And from what I know, I do feel that you have it just right - your inner self seems very beautiful to me - I like the way you are always prepared to reconsider who and how you are and to strive accordingly. Please never change!!
You always inspire me to be a better person.
L.x.
As always so nice to read what you are thinking about. It sounds like a great devotional. I need to track it down. How is every thing going on at your house.
I will write you later.
Last night I finished Hidden Art by Edith. I was so challenged by the final Environment chapter- me as an environment for my family and others. That's a sobering thought. I need this inner image management to any kind of healthy environment. Thank you, PP x
I'm starting to learn (far too slowly) that if I keep my eyes on Jesus rather than on myself and my flaws, I change a little bit for the better and love people more with His love rather than my love. But if I pay attention to myself and my failings, I get discouraged and get no where. Thank goodness He loves us so much and never gives up on us! Big hugs to you PP, xxxx
We actually missed church this morning because our van decided to stop running just a ways down from our home. Eventually with the Engineer steering and three of us pushing, we managed to get it into the laneway again. Will have to call a toe truck tomorrow.
Your post is very timely for me as I have been struggling with finding my quiet time. I am not managing the internal well. The external seems to take so MUCH of my time these days -- even if though the external has little to do with my appearance. Who knew seven children would keep this momma so busy!?
I sat with a cup of tea today and caught up with all your posts. It was so refreshing for my soul. I'm glad you continue to share snippets of your life and yours days with us -- even if I don't stop by as often as I would like! I think of you often! Thankful to read that Bill is doing well!
Love and blessings!
Deborah
Tis so important. Far more than any other thing. And here I stand, ashamed of the shallow post that I have just posted, all to do with appearance! Thank you for the reminder x
The internal is something that I have also been thinking about lately, though I'm not sure I can express my thoughts. I think I need to ponder some more. I'm thankful to read that Bill is recovering nicely from his surgery. I enjoyed your photos from Hawaii. I'm so glad you enjoyed your time away. Have a lovely week! :)
Thank you for this, Pom Pom. I want to focus on the internal-eternal parts of my life more. When I do do that external stuff that is what we do every day, I try to think of the person(s) I'm doing these things for and pray (get close to God). I'm a sheep.
A journey that we all take and one that we probably never complete.
Your words today gave me pause. Thank you.
Its good to know that God doesn't expect anything more than us as we are inside and out = I have found Him in the woods yesterday on a lovely walk, He had made everything beautiful and I came home much prettier on the inside for it! Betty
yes....!
Such an important idea, for us sheep. I think our inner character -- what He's making us to be -- is tricky b/c He and I are the only ones (usually) that really know what's going on in there in my soul. I have little accountability for my soul's progress, unless I "slip up," and show my short-comings and another sheep can say, 'that needs work!' We look ou the outward so very much, and the inward so very little. Keep us posted on that next book, Pom :)
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