The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life. John 10:10
“We Western peoples are apt to think our problems are external, environmental. We are not skilled in the inner life, where the real roots of our problems lie. For I would suggest that the true explanation of the complexity of our program is an inner one, not an outer one. The outer distractions of our interests reflect an inner lack of integration of our own lives.
We are trying to be several selves at once, without all our selves being organized by a single, mastering Life within us. Each of us tends to be, not a single self, but a whole committee of selves. There is the civic self, the parental self, the financial self, the religious self, the society self, the professional self, the literary self. And each of our selves is in turn a rank individualist, no co-operative but shouting out his vote loudly for himself when the voting time comes. And all too commonly we follow the common American method of getting a quick decision among conflicting claims within us.
It is as if we have a chairman of our committee of the many selves within us, who does the votes at each decision, and leaves disgruntled minorities. The claims of each self are still pressed. If we accept service on a committee on Negro education, we still regret we can’t help with a Sunday school class. We are not integrated. We are distraught. We feel honestly the pull of many obligations and try to fulfill them all.
And we are unhappy, uneasy, strained, oppressed, and fearful we shall be shallow. For over the margins of life comes a whisper, a faint call, a premonition of richer living which we know we are passing by. Strained by the very mad pace of our daily outer burdens, we are further strained by an inward uneasiness, because we have hints that there is a way of life vastly richer and deeper in all this hurried existence, a life of unhurried serenity and peace and power.”
Thomas R. Kelly (1893-1941) in A Testament of Devotion (New York: Harper, 1941) 91-92.
A Testament of Devotion is another one from the list in 25 Books Every Christian Should Read: A Guide to the Essential Spiritual Classics.
Notice our proclivity to say that the problems exist outside us (and are often solved by money). Or our competing selves keep us so busy we miss what God has for us. Perhaps you can relate? I know I can.
Here Kelly teaches us the pathway to richer living. We must be “organized by a single, mastering Life” so that we are not crushed under the weight of many obligations. I have found this to be true. Seriously, if you feel “unhappy, uneasy, strained, oppressed, and fearful” then hear the still small voice of Jesus calling you to something more, to grasp abundant, richer living.
This relates to generosity as this unhurried existence creates margin in life to live, give, serve, and love generously. Pause this holiday season to find “serenity and peace and power.” It will position you for rich generosity!