Beyond Self
Following the Way of Jesus

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      Daily Devotion for June 11

Scripture:

Romans 8:31-35: What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not withhold his own Son, but gave him up for all of us, will he not with him also give us everything else? Who will bring any charge against Gods elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? It is Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us. Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will hardship, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? - NRSV

Abridged Meditation:
When we make a whole-hearted commitment to seek unity with God, it is the beginning of aligning the desire of our heart with our inner spiritual nature.

Meditation:

When we make a whole-hearted commitment to seek unity with God by following the way of Jesus, it is the beginning of aligning the desire of our heart with our inner spiritual nature. In this movement beyond self, all tension is removed between what we want and what we have; also all division between our ego, other people, and God. Since God is One, (without division and in eternal perfect harmony), as we grow in faithfulness and allow ourselves to be led by the Divine Spirit within us, we experience the peace and fulfillment of the Oneness of God in a very personal way. When we move beyond self, an ironic truth we will come to understand is that our constant personal struggle for peace and fulfillment is precisely what continually separates us from the wholeness in God we already possess. God has placed within each of us the image of Christ that seeks constantly to express perfect Divine peace. We can see in Jesus a perfect example of how to live in this wholeness, but we often continue to make our own path and use our own intellect, rather than Gods guidance, to find the serenity we seek. In our self-reliance, we perpetuate a pointless and self-defeating struggle.

Prayer:
Because of Gods abiding and steadfast love, we have come to know that it is not sacrifice of things that He desires, but the deepest love of our soul. God does not desire this for His own glory, because His glory does not depend upon our devotion. Rather, God desires our deepest love and devotion and proclamation so that others may be brought into the light of His love from the darkness of their loneliness and despair. Receive our love among the faithful servants of your Kingdom, O God, and let it produce fruit in the vineyard you have planted. In the name of Christ Jesus. Amen