There is a reason that the early church fathers, the monastics and our priests speak of the overarching importance of humility. It is easy to compare one self to others, especially when one can cherry pick those to whom comparison is made. It is easy to criticize and condemn others. But it is much more difficult to only compare ourselves to those above and beyond us. This is one of the reasons that having a spiritual mentor is so valuable. We find someone that is spiritually superior to us and then we emulate them and hear their instruction.
But to really hear, we must first recognize and acknowledge our lack. This means we identify where we are ignorant, immoral and weak.
This is about humility.
But even besides all of this is recognizing our short sightedness. As temporal and distracted mankind, we cannot see further than the moment. We cannot even accurately remember the past. Science has shown us over and over again just how faultily and romantic we remember past events. And the further back we go, the less accurate these memories become.
Looking forward is even worse, for we cannot see past the "right now". We might think that we can plan for the future, but we do not even know if we will be breathing tomorrow. We cannot even rightly interpret the events of what is taking place right now. Sure, we can see these events, but we cannot know how they will affect us tomorrow, or next week, next month or next year.
Something we see as terrible or troubling might every well be the exact thing we need to become more holy in our future.
We must have faith that God is working all things for our good.
But to really hear, we must first recognize and acknowledge our lack. This means we identify where we are ignorant, immoral and weak.
This is about humility.
But even besides all of this is recognizing our short sightedness. As temporal and distracted mankind, we cannot see further than the moment. We cannot even accurately remember the past. Science has shown us over and over again just how faultily and romantic we remember past events. And the further back we go, the less accurate these memories become.
Looking forward is even worse, for we cannot see past the "right now". We might think that we can plan for the future, but we do not even know if we will be breathing tomorrow. We cannot even rightly interpret the events of what is taking place right now. Sure, we can see these events, but we cannot know how they will affect us tomorrow, or next week, next month or next year.
Something we see as terrible or troubling might every well be the exact thing we need to become more holy in our future.
We must have faith that God is working all things for our good.
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