Wednesday, March 26, 2014

Testing

It's funny how we are tested shortly after we feel we have an understanding of something.  My last blog was on loving others, blessing others, and doing good to them regardless of how they are.  It was also on having faith in things unseen. I waited to post on it because I don't want to be someone who says one thing and does another.

Yet, I find myself tested lately--tested for what feels like no reason.  But I know there is a reason.  The reason is to be lost to self more and more.  C.S. Lewis said, "There must be a real giving up of the self.  You must throw it away 'blindly' so to speak...The very first step is to try to forget about the self altogether." What a difficult--no impossible--concept.  One cannot forget oneself through human effort. The only way is to focus on someone greater than ourselves who will do it for us.  In the season of lent, we spend 40 days giving up a luxury we are accustomed to.  One of the reasons that lent is 40 days is because Jesus spent 40 days in the desert, was tempted, and overcame temptation. When I think of this, I think of the fact that I rely on Jesus for my strength.  That is how to forget self altogether.  Then, as the tests come (and they will come), we will find ourselves resilient.

Jesus says we are blessed when we are persecuted without cause.  But I don't feel very blessed. That is probably why he made a point to say that.  Remember that you are blessed.  Remember that this isn't for nothing.  Remember that when people insult you without cause it's another chance to forget yourself and focus on loving that person.

I read an interesting perspective on the movie Frozen this morning, and I really liked it.  The author said that, regardless of what other messages people feel are coming across through the movie, there is one prominent message.  The main character cannot live until she performs an act of true love.  While the rest of the characters believe this to be a kiss, ultimately it is self-sacrifice--complete denial of herself for someone who hasn't shown her any love at all.  It shouldn't matter if people like us or don't like us.  Sometimes we make mistakes and people give us mercy.  Sometimes we make mistakes and people are unnecessarily harsh. Oh to just love regardless of what others do and to continue to grow in love through every trial and test that comes.