June 28, 2008 6:56 AM
Elisabeth Elliot on leaving self-will and going to God's
I woke today knowing that I need to break my attachment to food - again. After losing 90 of the 100 pounds (pictures here) which was my original goal, I put on 10 at Christmas and have made several false starts at losing them. C'mon, woman, it's been six months! Who am I kidding?
This was in my Inbox. Something I needed to hear. But EE's wisdom can apply to anything that has become a big roadblock in your life.
Have a relationship that needs restoring? Don't want to face the work that God has for you to do? EE has an elegantly simple way of reminding us to put aside our complicated "reasons" and just do it. (my emphasis added):
Where Do We Start?To be transformed into the image of Christ I must begin to do the will of the Father in the same place where He began: He emptied Himself. There is for any serious disciple, quite simply, no other starting place. It is a matter of beginning today to say no to yourself--specifically, about something you've been insisting you must have, specifically about something you have been refusing. This is step one. You travel the road "toward Jerusalem" from there, gladly taking up the cross (which is step two: saying yes to God) and following, knowing where the road led Jesus. It did not--and don't forget this!--end with a cross. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven.
His prayer for us is, "Father, I desire that these men who are thy gift to me, may be with me where I am" (Jn 17:24 NEB).
As always, I'd like to encourage you to include Elisabeth Elliot in your morning reading. She gives you a lot to think about during the day. Subscribe to her daily devotions here. You can also see a bunch of my favorites here.
Love,
Posted in Inspiration | Permalink
Comments
All of the excerpts from Elizabeth Elliott that you post are thought provoking and filled with wisdom. One thought about the weight loss struggles - I have found that Weight Watchers online is something that works (slowly) for me. It is all done from the convenience and privacy of you home, so you don't have to schedule in meeting time. It has the advantage of keeping you accountable, yet able to live "real life" with your family (I have been saving points for a margarita with my husband tonight!) It still requires denial (staying within your point allotment) and allows for mortification (perhaps giving up desserts or snacks on certain days and making it an offering to God), but is family friendly and very doable for the long term. Just a thought ... I'm with you in the struggle!
Posted by: Anne | June 28, 2008 6:33 PM
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