"Our greatest fulfillment lies in giving ourselves to others." -Henri J.M. Nouwen
Isolation leads to suffering. We need relationships with God and each other. We were literally created for a relationship with God. "In the His image" is an interesting thought to ponder. What does that mean?
We delight in creating good things. We find fulfillment in tending our families, our homes, our gardens, and other people. We love to laugh. We want to be loved by choice, not by force. We want to spend our days in valuable and satisfying ways.
This passage came to mind:
"I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship." -Romans 12:1 (ESV)
I liked it in The Message version:
"So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it." -Romans 12:1
It is in giving, not demanding love that we change from the inside out.
Today, I am grateful four opportunities to give of ourselves.
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