Our culture seems to train us to never admit our neediness. We are taught to be independent and private, which may limit our confession of any weakness within the church setting. It may limit our desire to desire to disciple others. Our busy life is complicated by the ideal of having personal rights that coincide with our responsibilities. I am learning to admit my limitations and it’s okay to lower my guard with someone I trust. Following Jesus is letting go of wanting to control outcomes. It is acknowledging my self sufficient stubbornness and my son if comparing myself to others.
“Our culture is riddled with control mechanisms that facilitate idolatry. Some use money as an umbrella of control. Money creates space, comfort, and distance between the challenges and annoyances of life. It creates an illusory blanket of security around our place and position in the world. Others use power to control. They work toward positions of influence and authority so that they create a safe distance between themselves and threats to the ego or emotions. Others use sexuality to control people, knowing that beauty or desire can be a mesmerizing, even coercive force that keeps others addicted to us. Some use words to control, verbally adjusting others’ self-perception and identity to keep them in line. Some use guilt and shame, some obligation. The list of tools we deploy to manage the people and outcomes of our lives is almost endless.” - Jon Tyson, The Burden Is Light
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