I came across this on accident last week, when researching an article.
Self-rejection is the greatest enemy of the spiritual life because it contradicts the sacred voice that calls us the “Beloved.”
We are made to believe that self-deprecation is a virtue, called humility. But humility is in reality the opposite. It is the grateful recognition that we are precious in God’s eyes and that all we are is a pure give.
We must grow beyond self-rejection
(From Henri J.M. Nouwen, Bread for the Journey)
How would it feel to do this? Grow beyond…
I imagine it feeling like being completely naked.
Like having no idea who I was anymore.
Probably everyone hating my guts.
I have to do it, if I want my hope to expand. If I want to be an instrument to expand hope in others, I have to let it go.
I am reading Nicolas Kristof and Sherly WuDunn’s new book, A Path Appears. A film of the same title, will premier on PBS January 26, 2015.
“HOPE IS LIKE A PATH IN THE COUNTRYSIDE. ORIGINALLY, THERE IS NOTHING – BUT AS PEOPLE WALK THIS WAY AGAIN AND AGAIN, A PATH APPEARS.”
—LU XUN, CHINESE ESSAYIST, 1921
The enemy wants us to waste our time in self-rejection, worrying in circles, being ineffective.
I want to walk hope, away from my self-depreciation and worry and into life.
I want a path to appear for people because I kept walking it.
What path are you going to wear thin? How can you grow beyond self rejection?