i would appreciate if you responded to this post
because i am genuinely curious. here is what you can do:
1. read the Thomas Merton quotes posted within one of my professor's posts at Scriptorium Daily
i wonder if i am the man Merton is talking about. how can a man be truly humble? can a man be truly humble? how do you maintain humility? does one have to deliberately put themselves into undesirable circumstances in order to maintain humility? can a man live an enjoyable, pleasurable life on earth and still be humble? what does true humility look like, at this interior level? how does one keep from thinking they understand the will of God in their lives? how do you know when something is the will of God and when it's just your own "feeling" or your own decision? what do you think?
oh God, forgive me for and forbid me from thinking that my own desires are yours. and at the same time - make my desires yours. can a man truly have your desires, God? how do we know?
guide us as we follow You, most holy and great Author of our lives.
"We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."
1 Thessalonians 5:12-18
1. read the Thomas Merton quotes posted within one of my professor's posts at Scriptorium Daily
i wonder if i am the man Merton is talking about. how can a man be truly humble? can a man be truly humble? how do you maintain humility? does one have to deliberately put themselves into undesirable circumstances in order to maintain humility? can a man live an enjoyable, pleasurable life on earth and still be humble? what does true humility look like, at this interior level? how does one keep from thinking they understand the will of God in their lives? how do you know when something is the will of God and when it's just your own "feeling" or your own decision? what do you think?
oh God, forgive me for and forbid me from thinking that my own desires are yours. and at the same time - make my desires yours. can a man truly have your desires, God? how do we know?
guide us as we follow You, most holy and great Author of our lives.
"We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."
1 Thessalonians 5:12-18
Comments
2. Yet...we all also have a part of this man, a part that enjoys doing good for the praise and warmth that we feel.
As far as God's will goes, I love what Merton has to say on page 53 of No Man is an Island - I think he nails it here (too long to quote in a comment).
Humility is not easy, yet neither is true humility impossible. For to deny its possibility is to deny the redemptive power of Christ and His Spirit at work in our lives.
The blessings God bestows on us do not lead to a proud life, neither does humility necessitate misery, rather it is a true understanding of our own place, both in relationship to God and others. Don't know if that is helpful or whether that just muddies the waters some more...
Grace, peace, and love!
Matt