Tilted Halos
Well, I picked up reading The Ragamuffin Gospel again. I stalled out on it in early spring, but looks like I’ll be able to get into it over the summer.
In this recent section of the book, Manning has been focusing on trust, and “spiritual poverty” (blessed are the poor in spirit). I thought spiritual poverty was an interesting twist on the poor in spirit idea that brings it into pretty sharp focus.
The chapter I’m reading (chap 4) is titled “Tilted Halos”. Here’s an excerpt:
The prayer of the poor in spirit can simply be a single word: Abba. Yet that word can signify dynamic interaction. Imagine a little boy trying to help his father with some household work, or making his mother a gift. The help may be nothing more than getting in the way, and the gift may be totally useless, but the love behind it is simple an pure, and the loving response it evokes is virtually uncontrollable. I am sure it is this way between our Abba and us. At the deepest, simplest levels, we just want each other to be happy, to be pleased. Our sincere desire counts far more than any specific success or failure. Thus when we try to pray and cannot, or when we fail in a sincere attempt to be compassionate, God touches us tenderly in return.
In this sense, there is no such thing as bad prayer. A third characteristic of the tilted-halo gang is honesty. We must know who we are. How difficult it is to be honest, to accept that I am unacceptable, to renounce self-justification, to give up the pretense that my prayers, spiritual insight, tithing and successes in ministry have made me pleasing to God! No antecedent beauty enamors me in His eyes. I am lovable only because He loves me.
That’s such a good reminder. :)
And as he loves you, you become more lovely, by His grace.
I have been thinking somewhat along the same lines the past couple days, Matt, and appreciate you sharing that.
My joy, my purpose, my drive, my contentment are found in him and his service only. How often I have had to relearn that lesson.
Hosea 6:3