Text: The Courage to Be by Paul Tillich
Courage is self-affirmation "in spite of," that is in spite of that which tends to prevent the self from affirming itself.
...anxiety is the state in which a being is aware of its possible nonbeing...it is not the abstract knowledge of nonbeing which produces anxiety but the awareness that nonbeing is a part of one's own being.
Courage is self-affirmation "in spite of," that is in spite of that which tends to prevent the self from affirming itself.
...anxiety is the state in which a being is aware of its possible nonbeing...it is not the abstract knowledge of nonbeing which produces anxiety but the awareness that nonbeing is a part of one's own being.
Tomorrow a distinction between fear and anxiety.
It is not easy to affirm oneself. In fact, all of us - if we would let ourselves touch this reality - would find that much of what we do is tied up within the constant pursuit of some way to be affirmed. And yes, it means we put ourselves out there and attempt to be someone and do something that will give us a pat on the back - an affirmation. Most often, the path to the affirmation of our lives has to do with what we have been able to accomplish. And yes, there is risk involved every time we attempt to "do something" to have our lives affirmed. And yes, since there is is risk, it takes courage to "go for it." The Good News is the announcement that we are affirmed...completely, definitely, forever - no conditions. We are invited to live as though that is in place -trust it. Courage is then our living as though we trust that God has claimed/affirmed us and living just as we are "in spite of" whatever the world may throw up against us. Remember this though, we often throw some of the biggest challenges to our self affirmation up against ourselves...we can be one our greatest source of our anxieties.
Connection: How does Matthew' s Jesus say it? "Consider the lilies...consider the birds of the air..." If we are, and we are, the treasure of God's creation, nothing can diminish that reality. Our essential worth remains even when we faulter and when we are evaluated by others and ourselves as being less than. Today, when will we give ourselves at least a few moments to remind ourselves of the greatest affirmation that is possible for us is that - we are God's children - always. Then, will we let ourselves live with it for awhile - in spite of...everything that wants to deny it. When will you let yourself do that today?
O God, in Jesus you have given us the vision for life that trusts in your word for us...and that alone. Let your Holy Spirit remind us of our place before you that gives us the life we live in the face of all things that come into this day. Teach us to be courageous as we learn of your love for us. Amen.
It is not easy to affirm oneself. In fact, all of us - if we would let ourselves touch this reality - would find that much of what we do is tied up within the constant pursuit of some way to be affirmed. And yes, it means we put ourselves out there and attempt to be someone and do something that will give us a pat on the back - an affirmation. Most often, the path to the affirmation of our lives has to do with what we have been able to accomplish. And yes, there is risk involved every time we attempt to "do something" to have our lives affirmed. And yes, since there is is risk, it takes courage to "go for it." The Good News is the announcement that we are affirmed...completely, definitely, forever - no conditions. We are invited to live as though that is in place -trust it. Courage is then our living as though we trust that God has claimed/affirmed us and living just as we are "in spite of" whatever the world may throw up against us. Remember this though, we often throw some of the biggest challenges to our self affirmation up against ourselves...we can be one our greatest source of our anxieties.
Connection: How does Matthew' s Jesus say it? "Consider the lilies...consider the birds of the air..." If we are, and we are, the treasure of God's creation, nothing can diminish that reality. Our essential worth remains even when we faulter and when we are evaluated by others and ourselves as being less than. Today, when will we give ourselves at least a few moments to remind ourselves of the greatest affirmation that is possible for us is that - we are God's children - always. Then, will we let ourselves live with it for awhile - in spite of...everything that wants to deny it. When will you let yourself do that today?
O God, in Jesus you have given us the vision for life that trusts in your word for us...and that alone. Let your Holy Spirit remind us of our place before you that gives us the life we live in the face of all things that come into this day. Teach us to be courageous as we learn of your love for us. Amen.
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