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Henri Nouwen, the noted spiritual theologian once declared: “As long as you think that you need people to be yourself, you are not really free.” It is so easy to hear these words from Nouwen and believe that they don’t apply to you. After all, who wants to think of themselves as being held captive? The truth of the matter is that we need people in our lives. We are social creatures who come to an awareness of our reality in relationship to people. But I believe that Nouwen is talking about the tendency to base one’s self identity on other people’s opinions and expectations.
We have all been guilty of seeking validation from others or deriving our self perception from external forces. In fact, I have been guilty of doing the same thing. I would always worry about what people thought about me or what people would say about me. I had this inclination because I did not want to be misunderstood. Although, at times, this may have been helpful, it was also detrimental to the development of my character and it stunted my personal growth. The hidden dangers in seeking this kind of confirmation is that it can turn you into a people pleaser, you never come to an awareness of who you really are, and you can get lost in a world that has been constructed by irrelevant thoughts, unwarranted whims, and unfulfilling feelings.
The truth of the matter is that we will always be misunderstood by people because no one knows us like God. Only God knows us! What a liberating truth. God knows our faults, failures, and foolishness. God knows our hurts, habits, and hang-ups. God knows all of the things that we don’t want people to know about us and God still continues to shower us with love. Truthfully, only God can love unlovable people. True freedom comes from living in the light of God’s presence and love.
Peace and Blessings,
Pastor Mike
Rykiel
/ February 24, 2010Suppose you know the definitions
of all substances and their products,
what good is this to you?
Know the true definition of yourself.
That is essential.
Then, when you know your own definition, flee from it, that you may attain to the One who cannot be defined,
O sifter of the dust.
That is a poem by Rumi, a translated one at least. I am sure you have heard of the mystic poet of Islam. His hunger for the connectivity of humanity and the divine reminds me so much of you and your teachings – it is thirst upon thirst! Loving you. Thanking you
NISSI
/ May 22, 2010TRUE FREESOM IS…………
THE JOY OF KNOWING THAT
IN ALL OF LIFES CIRCUMSTANCES
MISHAPS AND DILEMAS
GOD HAS HIS HAND
RESTING ON ME
LEADING ME
GUIDING ME
LISTENING IS AN ART
A SPIRIT OF PEACE
ALLOWS ME TO HEAR HIM
CREATION IS WAITING
Kristen
/ June 21, 2010True Freedom. This is a life-giving word. Upon joining FCBC, I was in a lot of people bondage and literally being forced out of it. It was very painful, yet freeing day by day. After our first discipleship class this June, I left feeling free, but it was not until the morning after that I better realized where I was. Not geographically, but emotionally and spiritually. The sum total of the retreat, the last six months and discipleship class helped me to realize…I’m enough. For years, I introduced myself to people including my background usually tied to my family, upbringing and accomplishments. I thought I needed these things to make me…enough, not realizing that in God’s eyes, I have always been enough. I’ve had concept that I am a child of God for years, but didn’t always embrace the fullness of His love. This became real, when I discovered that I felt the need to overcompensate for what I thought I lacked as a person. The Friday morning after our first discipleship class was the first time since I can remember that I felt that I was enough. Cutting away the fluff and stuff, I Kristen Lauren Rogers, was enough. I am made in the image of God. I have the indwelling Holy Spirit alive in me, guiding and teaching me the ways of God and I am enough. At that point, I was able to make the affirmations with confidence, clarity and true belief: I am the Beloved of God. God spirit rests on me and in me God finds favor. I am my father’s daughter. I am a daughter of the Most High God.
Thank you Pastor Mike.
Jeannette Brown
/ June 22, 2010True freedom is when we are delivered from people, negative experiences and circumstances . For me, that required embracing and accepting God’s unconditional love for me. I allowed Him to love me back to wholeness and in return He taught me how to love myself and then love others. I challenge everyone to step out of their comfort zones by no longer being defined by other people’s expectations and opinions. Strive to no longer be stagnated by fear, past mistakes, hurts and bad experiences. Desire to rediscover your true self, the self God created you to be. The self that existed before the world mishandled you. All can be attained by persuing a true and intimate relationship with God, embracing the journey and allowing yourself to be overwhelmed by a relentless God. Amen!!!!
Shavon
/ July 11, 2010True Freedom came for me when God showed me his light and gave me a second chance at life. I used to think how wonderful it would be if there was a textbook on “How to Deal With People” and then God dealt with me. My deliverance from people, hang-ups, habits and MYSELF have been unbelievable! I have strength, courage, faith and perserverance that I never knew existed within. I now walk with a “spiritual swagger” and not with my head held down!