I love how these little nuggets make scripture come alive for us and I’m thankful for those like you who bring them to our attention. Often times I/we read through scripture looking for meaning and understanding and miss these little seemingly insignificant words that lead us to the humanity of Jesus and a deeper connection to him. I’ve struggled at times to grasp what “denying myself” really means in my walk with Christ. Does that mean giving up all my comfort? Well…., maybe.., maybe not. I’m grateful for those moments to experience the cushions Thanks so much for this writing.
That’s awesome, Janet! Love to hear that it helped. Someone else to me that there is no other book in which such a miniscule detail could have such meaning.
What a great read. Thank you!There is a lot to consider here. Two thoughts I had:
"But this does not mean that God expects our life to be jam-packed with discomfort and lacking the joys of life." What you describe here is what my husband and I called "suffering for suffering's sake" on the mission field. In a way, it was modeled for us that the more we suffered as missionaries, the holier we were. But we quickly learned that genuine suffering is not depriving ourselves of basic comforts. We began to ask ourselves, "Are we denying ourselves some creature comforts just to demonstrate our holiness?" Eventually, that went away, and we bought ourselves the A/C unit.
"[I had] internal struggle of always feeling like I need to be more and experience more perfection before I can truly experience God." I did struggle with this. This year God took me to the least perfect version of myself, and I found what true and complete comfort looks like resting in him when my "perfections" were stripped away.
A very interesting observation! I appreciate (and resonated) with how you brought your own formation and shaping to this discussion. My own shaping takes me in such directions too. Thanks for your authenticity here! Some good ideas for me to bring to my own journey.
Thanks, Brian! I wonder, if in some small way, our forgetting of the true humanity of Jesus in little moments like this contributes to our misunderstanding (or forgetting) our own?
1. Are you an Enneagrame One? I am and we seek perfectionism. 2. Nowhere did it say Jesus had the only cushion. Fishermen who made their daily living in boats conceivably may have had cushions on board. They were out fishing for hours waiting to make a haul. Cushions may have been standard issue on fishing boats. BUT, Jesus obviously wasn't rowing the boat do your point about him not sleeping on the hard floor is still valid. He wasn't working; he was sleeping. He chose to use a cushion fir comfort. A lesson for those of us who think we have to suffer or do hard things to be a committed Christian.
Thanks, Marylou. Nope, I’m a 3—and one in recovery. Good point on the cushion. My point is that there is only one referenced which was (as I tried to show) was kind of funny. Either way, thanks for reading.
My husband and I have had several discussions the last few months about "the faith OF the Son of God" which is rendered as such in Darby and the KJV of Galatians 2:20. Most Bible versions render the verse as, "I live by faith IN the Son of God" (which is true...) but the faith God wants us to have, as you have so beautifully illustrated here via Willard's essay, is the same faith that Jesus had in His Father.
And also, cushions.
Thanks for this thoughtful course correction, sir. A breath of fresh air 'tis.
I love how these little nuggets make scripture come alive for us and I’m thankful for those like you who bring them to our attention. Often times I/we read through scripture looking for meaning and understanding and miss these little seemingly insignificant words that lead us to the humanity of Jesus and a deeper connection to him. I’ve struggled at times to grasp what “denying myself” really means in my walk with Christ. Does that mean giving up all my comfort? Well…., maybe.., maybe not. I’m grateful for those moments to experience the cushions Thanks so much for this writing.
That’s awesome, Janet! Love to hear that it helped. Someone else to me that there is no other book in which such a miniscule detail could have such meaning.
What a great read. Thank you!There is a lot to consider here. Two thoughts I had:
"But this does not mean that God expects our life to be jam-packed with discomfort and lacking the joys of life." What you describe here is what my husband and I called "suffering for suffering's sake" on the mission field. In a way, it was modeled for us that the more we suffered as missionaries, the holier we were. But we quickly learned that genuine suffering is not depriving ourselves of basic comforts. We began to ask ourselves, "Are we denying ourselves some creature comforts just to demonstrate our holiness?" Eventually, that went away, and we bought ourselves the A/C unit.
"[I had] internal struggle of always feeling like I need to be more and experience more perfection before I can truly experience God." I did struggle with this. This year God took me to the least perfect version of myself, and I found what true and complete comfort looks like resting in him when my "perfections" were stripped away.
Loved this essay!
Fear-factor Christianity. That’s such a good way to describe it!
Haha! Thanks. And, friend, I am going to say it again—you are doing some great writing. Keep it up.
Thank you. The encouragement means so much
I don't think I've ever preordered a book faster.
Incredible essay, AJ!
A very interesting observation! I appreciate (and resonated) with how you brought your own formation and shaping to this discussion. My own shaping takes me in such directions too. Thanks for your authenticity here! Some good ideas for me to bring to my own journey.
Thanks, Brian! I wonder, if in some small way, our forgetting of the true humanity of Jesus in little moments like this contributes to our misunderstanding (or forgetting) our own?
So encouraging! I suffer from scrupulosity as well.
Hey! Look at us. We should start a small group :)
1. Are you an Enneagrame One? I am and we seek perfectionism. 2. Nowhere did it say Jesus had the only cushion. Fishermen who made their daily living in boats conceivably may have had cushions on board. They were out fishing for hours waiting to make a haul. Cushions may have been standard issue on fishing boats. BUT, Jesus obviously wasn't rowing the boat do your point about him not sleeping on the hard floor is still valid. He wasn't working; he was sleeping. He chose to use a cushion fir comfort. A lesson for those of us who think we have to suffer or do hard things to be a committed Christian.
Thanks, Marylou. Nope, I’m a 3—and one in recovery. Good point on the cushion. My point is that there is only one referenced which was (as I tried to show) was kind of funny. Either way, thanks for reading.
I found it interesting too and I liked your application...that Jesus could seek comfort and didn't have to suffer all the time
Love this.
Thank you.
I really enjoyed this. Thank you! A lot to relate to in here for me.
My husband and I have had several discussions the last few months about "the faith OF the Son of God" which is rendered as such in Darby and the KJV of Galatians 2:20. Most Bible versions render the verse as, "I live by faith IN the Son of God" (which is true...) but the faith God wants us to have, as you have so beautifully illustrated here via Willard's essay, is the same faith that Jesus had in His Father.
And also, cushions.
Thanks for this thoughtful course correction, sir. A breath of fresh air 'tis.
I'm claiming my cushion!! Thank you so much for your meaningful perspective!