Those who want to save their life will lose it,
and those who lose their life for my sake will find it.
—Matthew 16.25
Honestly, I confess:
although I preach “take up your cross,”
really, I’d rather avoid suffering.
But there is greater joy
in a deeper well than comfort.
I am not this small thing,
my bliss and sorrow in my flesh alone.
I am one with all Creation,
whose pain and joy is mine.
There is joy in bringing the world
what I most deeply wish for it.
Divorcing myself from the world
I want what is mine, and despair.
But one with the world, in love,
its joy is mine.
The cross, with its pain,
offers the deep reward of love fulfilled,
and the redemption of my wholeness,
and resurrected joy.
__________________
Steve Garnaas-Holmes
Unfolding Light
www.unfoldinglight.net
August 21, 2020