04-12-2010, 10:06 AM
I have been thinking about how I have felt since I have realized the change in my life, I think I know now what has happened, and why, now, I had this feeling of talking about the change in my life.
I am going to split the hair mighty thin here....
The line is thus: I went from a world of trying to love christ, or to love Jesus, to a world of the Love of Christ, or the Love of Jesus. This may not seem different, but I think it is the most critical component change that has happened. The key wording here is 'the love of...'.
I think I was looking for that inner love, but couldn't find it because I was not able to see past the religious system. I had to dump that religious system in order to see clearly what it was I have been really looking for.
It was everyone here who has helped me see that, and for that, thank you.
As for telling everyone, the impetus behind it is just as Jesus spoke of, you have a light, you don't hide it under a basket, you put it out for all to see. I have not gotten used to the difference yet, and was wanting to share it, I was just not going about it the right way. But to this, I have already spoken.
My main point in this addendum, is what I had realized when I woke up last night. The difference in Loving Christ vs. the Love of Christ. Finding this has been what has changed the world around me. (which, if the world around you has changed, that likely means you have changed, as the world around you is a reflection of you.)
I realize now, I can't "give" this understanding to anyone. In fact, I could describe it until I am several shades of blue, and still they may not ever "get it". I can only show this in my life, and continue my own seeking.
I have notice something, I have had a few opportunities to tell a few about it. Two friends of mine I am always around, it has been interesting to see their reaction;
The first person, who has something of a distain for Christianity because his ex-wife drove him nuts with Religion has noticed a change in me, he has become more interested in it, and even asked what he might do to find it him self.
My answer to him that he has taken the first step in even asking. To seek it, ask for it for his own life, and listen for the answer, prayer and meditation. He may be genuinely interested in what I have found. I told him he doesn't NEED religion to find spiritual truth. I tried to keep my answer to him simple, I didn't want to push it on him, so I learned one level of restraint for someone beginning to seek here.
My other friend sits headlong in the world of christianity. I wouldn't call him a "Holy Roller", but there is no outward reflection of the Love of Christ. His Ego is the size of the Atlantic. Much of the time, when he talks about a Co-worker, he doesn't even call her by name, he says "The GS14 in our section" and begins to describe what he can do (as he is a GS12, two lower grades) what he knows and she doesn't. That's only one example, but he has the strong belief that Jesus is going to come back and whisk him away. Something he has said is that he is afraid of some of the "disasters", like the idea of not being able to die while being tormented by insects (or something like that). It has fear spelled out all over it.
This friend said he hasn't even noticed a change in me at all. Like it doesn't seem to register with him.
What struck me was the contrast between them. (I illustrate it not to berate one of them, I guard my impression I wish to give not to be egocentric) One who says he can't stand religion sees the difference, the one who is in the religion does not, almost to the point of questioning of what I found, and it had no influence on him at all.
The first, I can't give him all the answers, but I can be a sign post to help him on his own seeking, the second doesn't even wish to see, and there is no avenue to help him directly.
It has been indeed an enlightening experience, and to how misguided my original thought had indeed been misplaced, good intentions and all. And it is interesting the microcosm in their contrast that has helped be see both sides of the equation evenly. This has indeed been a lesson to me. Lessons are good things, they teach us, and we grow.
I am going to split the hair mighty thin here....
The line is thus: I went from a world of trying to love christ, or to love Jesus, to a world of the Love of Christ, or the Love of Jesus. This may not seem different, but I think it is the most critical component change that has happened. The key wording here is 'the love of...'.
I think I was looking for that inner love, but couldn't find it because I was not able to see past the religious system. I had to dump that religious system in order to see clearly what it was I have been really looking for.
It was everyone here who has helped me see that, and for that, thank you.
As for telling everyone, the impetus behind it is just as Jesus spoke of, you have a light, you don't hide it under a basket, you put it out for all to see. I have not gotten used to the difference yet, and was wanting to share it, I was just not going about it the right way. But to this, I have already spoken.
My main point in this addendum, is what I had realized when I woke up last night. The difference in Loving Christ vs. the Love of Christ. Finding this has been what has changed the world around me. (which, if the world around you has changed, that likely means you have changed, as the world around you is a reflection of you.)
I realize now, I can't "give" this understanding to anyone. In fact, I could describe it until I am several shades of blue, and still they may not ever "get it". I can only show this in my life, and continue my own seeking.
I have notice something, I have had a few opportunities to tell a few about it. Two friends of mine I am always around, it has been interesting to see their reaction;
The first person, who has something of a distain for Christianity because his ex-wife drove him nuts with Religion has noticed a change in me, he has become more interested in it, and even asked what he might do to find it him self.
My answer to him that he has taken the first step in even asking. To seek it, ask for it for his own life, and listen for the answer, prayer and meditation. He may be genuinely interested in what I have found. I told him he doesn't NEED religion to find spiritual truth. I tried to keep my answer to him simple, I didn't want to push it on him, so I learned one level of restraint for someone beginning to seek here.
My other friend sits headlong in the world of christianity. I wouldn't call him a "Holy Roller", but there is no outward reflection of the Love of Christ. His Ego is the size of the Atlantic. Much of the time, when he talks about a Co-worker, he doesn't even call her by name, he says "The GS14 in our section" and begins to describe what he can do (as he is a GS12, two lower grades) what he knows and she doesn't. That's only one example, but he has the strong belief that Jesus is going to come back and whisk him away. Something he has said is that he is afraid of some of the "disasters", like the idea of not being able to die while being tormented by insects (or something like that). It has fear spelled out all over it.
This friend said he hasn't even noticed a change in me at all. Like it doesn't seem to register with him.
What struck me was the contrast between them. (I illustrate it not to berate one of them, I guard my impression I wish to give not to be egocentric) One who says he can't stand religion sees the difference, the one who is in the religion does not, almost to the point of questioning of what I found, and it had no influence on him at all.
The first, I can't give him all the answers, but I can be a sign post to help him on his own seeking, the second doesn't even wish to see, and there is no avenue to help him directly.
It has been indeed an enlightening experience, and to how misguided my original thought had indeed been misplaced, good intentions and all. And it is interesting the microcosm in their contrast that has helped be see both sides of the equation evenly. This has indeed been a lesson to me. Lessons are good things, they teach us, and we grow.