{"id":6983,"date":"2005-11-10T12:51:00","date_gmt":"2005-11-10T18:51:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/doxaweb.com\/blog\/?p=6983"},"modified":"2022-06-04T06:58:25","modified_gmt":"2022-06-04T11:58:25","slug":"the-battle-against-mediocrity-and-fear","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/doxaweb.com\/blog\/2005\/11\/10\/the-battle-against-mediocrity-and-fear\/","title":{"rendered":"the battle against mediocrity and fear"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

I have been reviewing some of my early posts and found this in the comments box. It forms the backdrop of this blog, and I try to return from my rants and diverse musings to this central theme inspired by C.S. Lewis’ essay (The Weight of Glory<\/a><\/em>):<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It seems to me that the Christian life is a battle against mediocrity… something in us wants to choose the path of least resistance. For some of us, the more noble calling \u2013 love \u2013 evokes fear; what might be involved if I took the risk to love? Unselfishness is playing it safe. I don’t have to invest myself in another… I just need to stay out of their way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But Lewis’ point is that Unselfishness doesn’t get to the bottom of what our heart really longs for. We long to give ourselves to another, and to be received as a gift by another. Unselfishness won’t quench this deep longing. Only love will do this, where this sort of giving and receiving happens in a fuller way… it can happen in this life, to some degree… with our neighbor and even with God himself. Consult the saints on the details. I’m a bit unqualified on the level of experience here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So the question for someone who wants to bring people into life with God, or encourage them along the way, is: how can I first taste the goodness of this “more excellent way” as St. Paul puts it in 1 Corinthians 13. And if I truly believe and realize that others have this lofty calling as well, how will I treat them so as to help them discover how much they are loved (and then, how much love invites them to)?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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