Christ Jesus, deliver me from pursuing greatness...

 
Luke 9:46-50
 
It is so very human to pursue ‘greatness’, whether in the area of fame, fortune or success. Our society is designed to reward those who become the greatest achievers in their field, the greatest researches, the greatest academics, the greatest artists, the greatest teachers, etcetera. But such ‘greatness’ often comes with a very high price; and often the price paid for greatness is disconnection from family and friends. When they were bickering over who would be greatest in the Kingdom of God, Jesus directed his disciples to seek not greatness, but connection; to seek not status but a welcoming heart; to seek not selfish gain but selfless mercy and simplicity; to seek not upward agility, but downward mobility. Am I great in status or in mercy?  Christ Jesus, deliver me from pursuing greatness at any cost.              
 
I delight to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart.  (Psalm 40:8)
 
The experience of God’s acceptance frees us from our needy self and thus creates new space where we can pay selfless attentions to others.
Henri Nouwen, The Selfless Way of Christ: Downward Mobility and the Spiritual Life   
 
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Soli ad gloriam Dei