November 26: From Leading to Being Led
As we begin the discussion of the last chapter, I’d like to quote the last paragraph of the opening: The Temptation. “The temptation of power is greatest when intimacy is a threat….Many Christian empire builders have been people unable to give and receive love.” Our secular world and society honors and exhaults the “movers and shakers”, the leaders, the powerful. But God honors the meek, the humble, those led by Him to allow God to be revealed. Who in your life is an example of this kind of person, not the mover-shaker, power-broker but the person who is led by God to be humble, loving - an intimacy, relational person. (And, yes, if you’re thinking, “hmm, aside from me myself, I don’t know anyone like that”, go ahead and share that. ) Are there people like that out there?
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January 25th, 2008 @ 11:11 am
The question asked was: Do you know such a forgiving person? And it is my good fortune to still have one as my friend. My friend is a model of Christ for me, and that is part of her name. She has integrity, is a clear thinker, and compassionate in nature. But, her forgiveness is outstanding. Wouldn’t you like to hear these words after sharing a painful experience? “I understand, and I don’t think less of you for sharing”. I will never forget those comforting words and I thank God for my friend.
December 5th, 2007 @ 7:58 am
I can think of several people, but there is one who stands out in particular for me. Len I first met as my Prof in my first philosophy course at Univ. He was a wonderful teacher, but also very caring. Before I knew it, he offered me a job and by the end of that first year he had become my first really trusted confidant. We became good friends during those four years and at that time he was a leader and had won “Best Teacher” of the year. He was the oldest of many children and his youngest sister was a lovely Down Syndrome girl. and so through him and his on campus group of mentally challenged and deaf children with student tutors I became involved in that work every Saturday. (That was the good Lord preparing me for 3 of my 5 beautiful loving children.)
However, like Henri, he chose ‘downward mobility’. He chose to leave University life as he then knew it and within a few years, I was no longer the ‘closest thing he would ever have to a daughter’ as he had a daughter a year after my youngest.
Now, nearly forty years later, we are still very close and he is one I am most able to share with and go to for advice. We are here for each other and support each other’s spouses as well, caring deeply for them as well. We are both grandparents with much to share. But most of all he is there in a very caring way to walk with us through my husbands journey with cancer and my handicaps. He is an exceptional spiritual guide in matters of conscience, not in giving answers, but either in getting me to think them through or affirming my choices. We are many many miles apart, but we do have the internet and I thank God for that. This man brightens both of our lives so very much by his loving caring friendship.
Through the years we have shared many things we would not have ordinarily shared and we both have great admiration for each other but see each others as human beings on their earthly journey toward the hope of a much better life to come.
December 4th, 2007 @ 6:25 am
Thanks so much for all your contributions. They are really inspirational and they also constitute a challenge to me. My wife and I are chairpersons for the family commission within our parish. Lately too many situations have arisen where I feel God has been challenging us lovingly to do that something extra to really be true catholic witneses. I however am not so clear to where this is leading. Please pray for us.
Thanks
Andre`
December 3rd, 2007 @ 4:10 pm
Paul, who I lived near while growing up, has been a Boy Scout leader forever, as well as serving in our church and community, all of his life. Recently, I was able to wish him a happy birthday and let him know how much I respect him.
Elsie, who every Sunday brings newspaper articles, pictures, and letters of encouragement to others in our church.
We have a prayer room at the church that was created a few years ago in which she has been very disciplined in using.
She encouraged me to use the prayer room by walking me through the steps in which she takes each week in her prayer ministry.
Elsie and Paul are faithful Christian leaders who have been tested by time and that are very visible to me in illuminating Christ in their journeys.
It’s rare to find young Christian leaders in today’s world, especially, with families becoming so disconnected by the fear of not being accepted.
The difference in what Henri was saying and living twenty years ago, is nothing new today. I believe that it’s realistic to move downward(as Henri put it)and others will follow, if one can overcome the fear of being led by Christ? Peace is the marker!
As I look back on the people who have pressed on and made “straight paths” for my walk of faith, leaves me to consider those who may follow me.
Love is my witness!
December 3rd, 2007 @ 12:16 pm
I first became acquainted with Henri Nouwen, when I, like him, was rejected by someone that I had lost myself to. His book about solitude saved my life. People that choose power over relationship, or that live in fear of relationship, lack a sense of self that is centered in God’s love, I think. I struggle to see my own sense of worth, so I will often look for others to tell me that I am loveable, worthwhile, etc.,instead of finding that within my relationship with God. Henri taught me this.
December 2nd, 2007 @ 1:29 pm
My first reaction to your question was to try to think of someone who has overcome an affliction or is handicapped. They are often thankful for God’s grace and will reveal that thankfulness in their relationships with others.
After reflection, and a discussion with my wife, we came up with Eva. Eva was born in Hungary. She came to the United States, with her mother, during the Hungarian Revolution of 1956. She married at a young age, to a gentlemen from South America, who had to overcome an unhealthy relationship with alcohol. They have four children and now have twelve grandchildren.
Eva is not well educated but is very intelligent. She is physically very attractive. Also, she is an accomplished artist who has sold many paintings in NY City and NY State galleries. She has many gifts that are easy to see.
But that is not the point of mentioning her. She is spiritually beautiful. When she talks, even in a social environment, you want to be completely still and absorb her faith in Jesus Christ. When she prays, you feel closer to God. When she listens, you feel like you have her complete attention. My wife says, when they are studying the Word in their Bible Study Group, she wants to touch Eva in hopes that her faith will rub off.
Eva has had many bumps in her life, like most of us. But you would never know it by the life she leads and the faith she speads among those who are with her. She is a very lovely, spiritual person.