In this truth lies the secret of the easy yoke: the secret involves living as [Jesus] lived in the entirety of his life—adopting his overall life-style. … Our mistake is to think that following Jesus consists in loving our enemies, going the “second mile,” turning the other cheek, suffering patiently and hopefully—while living the rest of our lives just as everyone else around us does. … It’s a strategy bound to fail.
Dallas Willard
There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. (NRSV)
There came a man – ‘sent with a mission’ from God, by name John. He came as a witness to testify about the light, so that everyone might come to believe (through him). (DNW)
Grant, Lord,
that we may hold to you without parting,
worship you without wearying,
serve you without failing;
faithfully seek you,
happily find you,
and forever possess you,
the only God,blessed now and for ever.
Amen
St Anselm
Image and dust. Potential and limitations. One of the key tasks of our apprenticeship to Jesus is living into both our potential and our limitations.
John Mark Comer
In him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. (NRSV)
In him was life, and the life was the light of humans, The light shines in the darkness, and yet the darkness has never grasped it. (DNW)
Thank you, dear Jesus,
for all you have given me,
for all you have taken away from me,
for all you have left me.
Thomas More (c.1478-1535)
He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. (NRSV)
When things began, this one was close to God, . Every single thing came about through his doing, and without him nothing came about, not one thing. (DNW)
To choose to live an unhurried life in our day is somewhat like taking a vow of poverty in earlier centuries; it is scary. It is an act of faith. But there are deeper riches on the other side.
John Ortberg
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (NRSV)
When things began ‘the Word’ already was, and the ‘Word’ was always intimately close to God, and the ‘Word’ was one with God. (DNW)
O Lord Jesus Christ, stay beside me to defend me, within me to guide me, before me to lead me, and above me to bless me, that with you and in you, I may live, and move and have my being, for ever and ever. Amen.
(unknown)
Frodo: I wish the ring had never come to me. I wish none of this had happened.
Gandalf: So do all who live in such times, but that is not for them to decide. All you have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to you.