Delusion of Self-Sufficency

"Reflections from Recovery"
Sam's thoughts on "I" continue here:

Written by "Sam" 10/26
The spiritual part of our disease is self-centeredness .

What is self-centeredness ?

It is the belief that the world revolves around me.  My wishes, my demands - are the only ones worth consideration.  Our self-centered minds believe they are capable of getting everything they want if only they would be left to their own devices.We say that self-centeredness is the spiritual part of the disease because the self-centered mind cannot conceive of anything greater than or more important that itself.  But there is a spiritual solution to our spiritual disease.

We strip away our delusion of self-sufficiency by surrendering to a Higher Power greater than ourselves.  We admit we have been wrong, make amends, and seek knowledge of what's right from the God of our understanding.  We seek to serve others and not ourselves.

The goal is to become more God-centered and less self-centered.


grace, peace + hope
-Jesse

Change

The following blog is from : Quiet Times Reflections

God created me at my core a unique individual, just as he has you, for his purposes and to bring him glory. Period.

His purpose and plan may change from time to time, day to day, and perhaps even moment to moment; our response can be interesting, adventurous and yet confusing and defiant—not on God’s part but ours or more specifically mine.

Just the time I get comfortable it seems he changes the game plan AND without consulting me!

Could this ‘change’ be the refreshing everlasting water[i]constantly flowing in and through me rather than stagnant and unyielding water I tend to gravitate to? At heart, I am a very private person and like my time and my ways. But I’m coming to realize God did not create me for…well, me. That is not to say we don’t need quiet and/or alone times to refresh and be rejuvenated. I’m talking about the avoidance of others just because I don’t feel like interacting or feel like changing my plans.

Could it be that chance meeting was an ordained crossing of two paths God orchestrated for encouragement, healing or salvation? Perhaps it was to be the exact moment in time for God’s glory to be revealed to one who is desperately seeking someone higher than their thoughts and ways. Could it be God wants to teach me rather than the person I come across something or open my eyes in an area I have shut?

I recently read that God could have created us with incorruptible bodies and morally flawless character but instead he created us out of dirt—clay. Why? So it would be absolutely obvious that anything of eternal value accomplished through our lives is from God and not from us[ii](2 Corinthians 4:7). 

So in the end, it’s realizing my comfort is not God’s purpose for my life. OUCH!! Obedience and surrender are not popular topics nor are they to come from a defeatist attitude. Obedience and surrender are costly. They are also at the heart of understanding and accepting who God is, why he created me and how he takes great pleasure in my partnering with him for the amount of years he has given me to live. 

So at times it is with kicking and throwing tantrums that I surrender. And with a grateful heart God doesn’t treat me as my sins deserve[iii]but rather with grace he loving opens his arms and walks beside me--wherever that may be. Am I to do anything less for those around me?

What about you? Where are you in your process or should I say progress?

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[i]http://www.youversion.com/bible/John.7.38.nlt

[ii]Becoming A Vessel God Can Use by Donna Partow (pg 78)

[iii]http://www.youversion.com/bible/Ps.103.10.nlt