A life of service... without the need to be recognised.

Powerful!

[T]here is no substitute for learning to be a Christian by being in the presence of significant lives made significant by being Christian. … Significance suggests importance… lives that make a difference and that demand acknowledgement. But the lives of significance I began to notice were not significant in any of those ways. Rather, they were lives of quiet serenity, capable of attending with love to the everyday without the need to be recognized as ‘making a difference'.

- Stanley Hauerwas (via redviena)

I am deeply challenged by that last line, to live "lives of quiet serenity, capable of attending with love to the everyday without the need to be recognized as 'making a difference'."

Comments

[Simon Thomas]

Ah yes... but who is this selfless? not many. The tiresome sin of our times is the incessant need for recognition and affirmation, you need them but too much is overindulgence so where do you strike a balance.
peace be with you and regards
to Megan.

Yours in Jesus
Simon

[Dion Forster]

Hi Simon,

Indeed, you are right! I struggle with this particular issue. I tend to agree that we all need a healthy measure of affirmation, just like the Father said to Jesus at his Baptism 'You are my son, and with you I am pleased'. In fact in the parallel passages in the synoptic Gospels God makes the statement to the crowds, rather than to Jesus saying, 'this is my son. I am pleased with him'.

However, what I think this means is that affirmation comes from who we are not what we do. God affirms Jesus for who he is, and it is in relation to God, 'you are my son'. I think my sinful nature tries to get recognition for what I do in relation to others. Does that distinction make sense?

Thanks for the good wishes my friend!

Grace and peace in Christ,

Dion