September 1st, 2013 Commentary to Henri Nouwen's Daily Meditation

http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Daily-Meditation--Claiming-Our-God-Given-Selves.html?soid=1011221485028&aid=3WuDGbqkrmI

In case the link to the above Henri Nouwen’s Daily Meditation doesn’t work:

Sunday September 1, 2013 

Claiming Our God Given Selves

When we have been deeply hurt by another person, it is nearly impossible not to have hostile thoughts, feelings of anger or hatred, and even a desire to take revenge.  All of this often happens spontaneously, without much inner control.  We simply find ourselves brooding about what we are going to say or do to pay back the person who has hurt us.  To choose blessings instead of curses in such a situation asks for an enormous leap of faith.  It calls for a willingness to go beyond all our urges to get even and to choose a life-giving response.  Sometimes this seems impossible.  Still, whenever we move beyond our wounded selves and claim our God-given selves, we give life not just to ourselves but also to the ones who have offended us.

My Commentary:

There have been some real tough ones out there…  I could name them and claim genuine legitimacy against them for their indifference and malevolence but God helped me to move on.  There’s even times you’ll be having to come back crawling on your hands and feet to people who were truly terrible to you.  We could go off and cry like Job, or bury ourselves in busy work…  God needs you to face these challenges head on!  If things were easier, and people did nothing but show you respect—how would your character truly grow?  How would your sense of motivation be strengthened if there were never any conflicts, adversaries or challenges?  It wouldn’t, we need those peaks and valleys along the way of our hearts turning transformation, shaping by God… Daily living in the Light of God’s GRACE is that Baptismal reminder to us that in order to grow and go, we must bear our cross as it is the cost of discipleship.  Those deep wounds heal and build. Your gifts to bear in sharing with others will be rich and unique in what you have experienced.  Spiritual warfare is quite real, battling it daily means putting on that spiritual armor and not be taken in by the evil one’s deceptions, words and other weapons used against you.  St. Paul’s metaphor says it best:

Ephesians 6:10-17

^“10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power. ¹¹Put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. ¹²For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. ¹³Therefore take up the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to withstand on that evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. ¹⁴Stand therefore, and fasten the belt of truth around your waist, and put on the breastplate of righteousness. ¹⁵As shoes for your feet put on whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace. ¹⁶With all of these, take the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one. ¹⁷Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”

God Bless Your remaining Sundays!

Nicole Collins