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Wisdom Saying
We cannot live for ourselves alone. Our lives are connected by a thousand invisible threads, and along these sympathetic fibers, our actions run as causes and return to us as results.
*Hermann Melville, American Novelist, Short Story Writer, and Poet (b. 1819)
Wisdom Story
A Sufi story tells of a man who was so good that the angels asked God to give him the gift of miracles. God wisely told them to ask the man if that is what he would wish.
So, the angels visited this good man and offered him, first, the gift of healing with his hands. Next, they offered him the gift of converting souls to God. Lastly, the angels offered him the gift of great virtue. The man surprised them by refusing them all.
The angels insisted the good man choose a gift, or they told him they would choose for him. “Very well,” he said, “I ask that I might do much good without ever knowing it.”
The angels were perplexed. They talked among themselves and resolved upon the following plan. Every time the man’s shadow fell behind him, it would have power to cure disease, soothe pain, and bring comfort. As he walked along, behind him his shadow made dry paths green, caused withered plants to bloom, gave clean water to dried up brooks, and turn polluted water to fresh, cool water for children to drink. His shadow, also, brought joy to unhappy men and women, boys and girls.
The man simply went about blessing everyone as the stars diffuse light and the flowers scent, without ever knowing what gifts he was giving to others.
The people so respected the kind humbleness of this man, that they walked behind him silently. They never dared speak to him about his miracles. Soon, they even forgot his name, and they started calling him ‘the Holy Shadow.’”
Today's Scripture
"It is absolutely clear that God has called you to a free life. Just make sure that you don't use this freedom as an excuse to do whatever you want to do and destroy your freedom. Rather, use your freedom to serve one another in love; that's how freedom grows. For everything we know about God's Word is summed up in a single sentence: Love others as you love yourself. That's an act of true freedom. If you bite and ravage each other, watch out—in no time at all you will be annihilating each other, and where will your precious freedom be then?”
*Galatians 5.14-15 (MSG)
Suggested Reflection
How do you see yourself humbly serving others presently?
Or you being called by God to enter a deeper life of humble service? Explain.
Brian is available to respond to requests pertaining to seeking a Spiritual Director, his speaking, doing classes, workshops, or retreats for churches or other spiritual groups.
For submission of replies, see below:
*Brian K. Wilcox lives with his wife, Rocio, and their two dogs, St. Francis and Bandit Ty, in Punta Gorda, Florida. He is a United Methodist pastor and vowed member of Greenbough House of Prayer, a contemplative Christian community in Georgia. His passion is living a contemplative life and inspiring others to experience a deeper relationship with Christ through contemplative prayer and living.
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