4.25.15–>”How to Live on the Doorstep of Hell”

selfish-me me me

“To consider persons and events and situations only in the light of their effect upon myself is to live on the doorstep of hell.”  -Thomas Merton

My spiritual director reminded me the other day that “I am third.”

When priorities are right, when I am loving God with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength, I am at shalom–considering God first, then others, then myself.

How often though I consider myself first and how something is going to affect ME, and then making decisions accordingly. Mostly, it’s “How much time will this rob me of doing what I want to do?”

This is a bastardized and self-worshipping version of “counting the cost” in my estimation. Always counting the cost to me. Me. Me. Me.

But when I am allowing God His rightful place on the throne of my heart, when I am practicing His Presence, my considerations look like this:

  • “How will this bring glory to God?”
  • “How will this encourage someone?”
  • Then, maybe, “What is the cost?”
And when prioritizing God above all else, living in His loving presence and guidance, the costs are seen as they really are–negligible. What cost is too great for the One who has loved me more than any human possibly can?

In the Name of Jesus,
Soli Deo Gloria

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