Many times we can disguise our motives from ourselves and others, but, never from God. We can at times think our motives holy when in fact they are self centred, and self focussed.
When in the company of others, does your conversation revolve around your Faith, or the welfare of others? Or is your entire dialogue about your gifts, your talents, or even your hurts, pain and anguish?
An outward looking person will think of others before themselves, they will endeavour to make all those they come in contact with feel loved and appreciated. By their solicitous attitude they will without realising it, be reflections of Christ to all they meet. This is because the majority of outward looking people, are humble and give all glory and honour to God, rather than proclaim themselves great.
The inward looking person is the exact reverse, but many will use subterfuge in order to side track those they come into contact with away from the Lord and onto themselves. Some may endeavour to proclaim God's glory with the intent of suggesting that others have not been as blessed as themselves. Others will console another, but, then go on at length about their own hurts and heartaches as if their suffering were greater than anyone else’s. Some may even recount the hardships of their childhood in order to once again become the centre of attention.
The difference between the outward and inward centred peoples is where they place their focus. The outward person draws attention to God and proclaims his Majesty, by their unselfish service towards others. They, by their faith filled lives, try to alleviate the sufferings of others by listening, and giving their full attention to the suffering person whilst remaining silent about their own. Whereas the inward person will draw attention to itself constantly either by hijacking the conversation or by insisting that everyone must agree with their ideas or they will be classified as 'bad Christians'. Many of these inward centred people will also insist that everyone must notice them or they will feel unloved and unwanted, this is attention seeking behaviour based solely on pride!
At all times the people that truly love God and wish to serve Him do so by serving the less fortunate in society. They also place the needs of their families over and above themselves, as they go about their daily tasks. But at the core of their lives is a deep and abiding prayer life, which helps them reflect the fruits of the spirit, which are, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control.
Whereas in contrast the self centred person, will try and avoid their responsibilities, even to raising their children by making the television the central focus for their family rather than loving dialogue and spending quality time with their families. They may even prefer to spend little or no time with their children or spouses as they choose other alternatives such as the internet to fulfil the emptiness they feel within themselves. It is these unhappy people who spend little or no time in prayer, and when they do it is out of a sense of duty rather than love.
God does not seek rituals from us, but He does seek relationship, and the only way to grow in a relationship is through dialogue. This is why prayer is integral to a healthy spirituality, for it centres a person and strengthens them to avoid the pitfalls of pride and selfishness.
For Satan is forever prowling around looking for the ritualistic Christians who though they say 'Lord, Lord', then make grand statements proclaiming their greatness to all who will listen to them. But the one who listens intently to these impostors is Satan himself, for a proud heart makes a nice nest for Satan and his hordes of demons to make their homes.
This is why our Lord stressed over and over the need for all to pray with sincerity and humility, for we are all weak and we all full short of the glory of God. It is also why Our Blessed Mother provides another perfect example of living a prayerful life, without always knowing the reasons why things happen but in all conditions to lift up our hearts and give thanks to God above!
So when people meet us do they see the working fruits of the spirit, or the disabling fruits of spite and malice, which draws attention to self and NOT God! For it is the disabling fruits which allows Satan the foot hold he needs to cause destruction and desolation to so many.
The cure for all these harmful thoughts and feelings is prayer, for that is the key to the Heart of our Father, who then pours His Love into our hearts through the indwelling Spirit, for all good things proceed from the Triune Spirit.
What we reflect therefore is the Spirit we follow, whether it is unselfish love or self based pride, the knowledge is the fruits which can be seen by all.
Peace of Christ to ALL
Copyright © 2005 Marie Smith. All rights reserved.
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