There are others who, when they perceive their own imperfections, get angry against themselves ; and that, not with humility but with such impatience, as they were fain to become saints in a day.
Of these there are many who propose much, and make mighty resolutions, and, as they are not humble and are over-confident of themselves, the more resolutions they make, the deeper they fall and the angrier they get, being too impatient to wait until God shall give them sanctity at His own good pleasure ; which is also contrary to the aforesaid spiritual meekness, and cannot be radically cured save by the purga tion of the dark night…
ryan
/ 12/06/2009Chris,
I know in my own life I tend towards frustration or impatience. When my expectations (right or wrong) aren’t met then I get impatient and frustrated. This sermon series on Advent has been highly encouraging for me. To look to God with an expectant mentality and “let it be” is definitely part of the second nature I must develop. It is easy for me get impatient or frustrated with God’s work in my life when its not reflective of what I think it should be. Your recent sermons (and this post) are highly encouraging in the way they redirect my thinking back towards the truth of who I am suppose to be in Christ.
I also think this very thing could be true for our church with the newness of having you and Julie as full time staff at the church. This is definitely the work of God, but is this what most of our members saw coming? Also, do they think it is the “right move”. These may not be problems or questions that arise. However, I still think (as a body) us learning to be patient and expective is paramount to a smooth transition as we meet God’s new expectations of us.
Blessings. Thanks for the discussion and thought(s).
Mark
/ 12/08/2009Sounds like what you’ve been calling an overly-lenten approach to becoming virtuous.
Chris
/ 12/08/2009Yes, we can’t and shouldn’t want to be ‘holy in a day’; that is a dead-giveaway for ‘overly-lenten’ spirituality, as you said. I find this section of the DNoS, wh/ deals with the implications of the 7 deadly sins for the spiritual life, v. instructive.
Chris
/ 12/08/2009Ryan,
I do trust that this new move is God’s work, but of course we are acting in faith, not knowledge (of the kind we [mistakenly] wish we had)! It waits to be seen whether we have given birth to Ishmael or Isaac, if you know what I mean. As for a smooth transition: we can hope!