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July 09, 2006
Today’s Lessons
Today brought forth such an odd confluence of events that I can’t help but see a divine hand in it.
First the pastor preached on the dangers of being led by our egos. I don’t think of myself as an attention hound, but over the years I have come to face the fact that I, like everyone, have a strong need to be approved of–to be thought intelligent, talented, and good. While I don’t enjoy being the center of attention, I do long for positive feedback and sometimes feel hurt when it doesn’t unfold as I imagine.
The pastor acknowledged our human desire to feel special and valued but reminded us that we are already children of God and as such are already special and valued beyond measure. We truly have no need to reach for attention or strive for personal glory. Instead we can be secure and confident in our honored place as one of God’s chosen.
It was a powerful reminder to me.
But school wasn’t out for the day.
At lunch, a friend of my mother’s talked about “The Purpose Driven Life,” and about how instead of looking for our purpose in life we should seek God’s purpose for our life.
I didn’t think a lot about it until later when it reminded me of my favorite episode of “West Wing.” “Two Cathedrals” is the episode where President Bartlett holds a press conference and is expected to announce that he is not going to run for reelection. However, in the end he just puts his hands in his pockets, looks away and smiles – and we know it means he is going to run again. Moreover, it always seems to me that Bartlett changes his mind and decides to run because he realizes God wants him to. He doesn’t run for reelection out of ego; he does it because he realizes that he still has good work to do in the White House, work that God has called him to do.
The whole episode is great, but the last part of it stands out as some of the best television I’ve ever seen. An out-of-season tropical storm has made its way up to Washington, the portico door of the Oval Office keeps swinging open of its own accord, and President Bartlett has an imaginary conversation with his recently deceased secretary who tells him:
“You know, if you don’t want to run again, I respect that. But if you don’t run because you think it’s gonna be too hard or you think you’re gonna lose--well, God, Jed, I don’t even want to know you.”
That quote always reminds me that “because it’s difficult” and “because I might fail” are not valid reasons for setting aside a task, especially not if it’s something God has called me to do.
Today held so many lessons for me. And I am grateful. It was a very good day.
Posted by Selena at July 9, 2006 08:12 PM