The Story of Good – Learning to Steward the Good Within.

If you grasp and cling to life on your terms, you’ll lose it, but if you let that life go, you’ll get life on God’s terms. ~ Luke 17: 33 (TM)

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“Do you understand what We are inviting you to?” Jesus asked.

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“Life everlasting?” I whispered.

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“You see,” Jesus added, “In the desert, where I took you,

I was not tempted to Sin, as some might believe,

But I was invited to engage My Gift of Self-Existence,

Outside of My Gift of God-Dependency.”

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“This is the same invitation the world offers you every day.”

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“There are three temptations of Self, My child,

Three tests you must be aware of,

If you are to learn to steward the Good within.”

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“First, you must face the Temptation of Self-Preservation.”

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“With your Gift of Self-Existence, with the freedoms God gave you,

You will be invited to take care of yourself,

Outside the provisions of your Father.”

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“Life is hard. Food, clothing, shelter, and more,

All the necessities of life, can, at times, be very hard to find.”

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“God, your Loving Father, promises to be your provider,

He tells you that He is enough.

But Satan comes and questions that truth.

You are invited to exercise your Gift of Self-Existence,

To provide for yourself.”

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“Self-Preservation raises its ugly head.

Satan says, ‘Go ahead,’

‘You have the right to produce your own bread.’”

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“But God’s Word says,

‘Man does not live on bread alone,’

‘But on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.’”

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I looked into Jesus’ eyes.

Thinking of the many times,

I had taken my life into my own hands.

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“Take care of yourself!”

My inner voice proclaims,

“Don’t be shy, take control.

If you don’t do it, no one will!”

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Ponder on these things:

Reflect on a recent situation when you felt pressured to take the initiative to take care of yourself.

What feelings are evoked as you reflect upon that time?

As you recall that time, where was God in that scenario?  Distant, close by, active, inactive, involved, uninvolved, etc.?

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Over a period of about eight weeks (3 sessions per week), we will take you on a poetic journey (26-sessions) we call The Story of Good. We suggest you bookmark our blog series homepage to keep all the writings in one place for your future reference. Take note that each blog session begins with a short scripture reading. My suggestion is that you don’t hurry through, or skip the text, but treat it as a Lectio Divina reading where you slow down and sit a bit with God’s Word, allowing it to penetrate and influence you as you read. Each session also ends with a few thoughts to ponder on. I look forward to hearing some of your insight as we journey together!

Oh, and if you enjoy what you’re reading here, we encourage you to share this page and our website, The Contemplative Activist, with your friends! 

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