Learning from Johann Arnold
I read an article today by Johann Christoph Arnold, and this particular section stood out to me:
"For what else is peace, if not readiness to meet God? And if it means readiness, doesn't it have to mean readiness in every aspect of life? Doesn't it mean readiness to forgive the unforgivable; to forget when I would rather rememeber; to reach out to those I've avoided? Doesn't it mean readiness to give everything, and to lay down my life for my brothers?" (taken from http://www.bruderhof.com)
I appreciate how Arnold talks about meeting God not just in the who-knows-how-distant future when we die...it's about how we live now, too. I'm convicted by these words, but encouraged, too. Forgiving, forgetting, reaching out, giving everything - it's the cost of discipleship, living as a sacrifice. It's dying to ourselves every single day, because the life we're called to is more valuable.
I admit that living this Jesus-life like this is hard sometimes, but it's the most beautiful life I know. His Life becomes our life, and even in light of the pain that comes with it, I'd choose this over anything else in a heartbeat.
posted by Erin Marshalek @ 1:29 AM
2 Comments:
Thought you would enjoy this quote, pertinent to your post, that i stole from www.neepeople.com
God often permits virtuous men to be tried by some thing: He permits temptations to rise up against them on all sides …Whether these trails come from men, demons or flesh, let it be a cause for thanksgiving. For God cannot show His favor to a man who desires to dwell with Him, except by sending him trials for the sake of truth; just as no man can become worthy of this greatness …without the grace of Christ …St. Paul plainly calls it a gift …’For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake’ (Phil. 1:29). St. Peter also ‘But even if you suffer for righteousness sake, happy are you’ (I Peter 3:14) for you are given to share in the passion of Christ
…The way of God is a daily cross. No one has ascended to heaven through easy life.
~St. Isaac of Syria. Directions on Spiritual Training. Text 67. B#9
Deac, I love that quote a lot. I'm going to write it out and keep it on my desk or in my Bible (maybe both!). I appreciate that a lot.
I read your comment here after I posted my last post, and I think that quote speaks to that as well. Thank you for that; it came at a good time. : )
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