I’ve listened to your podcasts and read your posts for years. All too often, you seem to be speaking my own private thoughts, pains, and frustrations. We’ve only spoken a few words to each other in person, so I don’t know how you do that. You’re a blessing to me. Thank you.
I attended a charismatic Bible school 20+ years ago. High power ‘worship’ services with flashing lights, sizzling guitar riffs and pounding drums were almost always accompanied with grand ‘prophesies’ about how we’d speak truth to power, change nations, convert the heathens and accomplish miracles and wonders across the face of the earth. No one ever got a prophecy that they were going to be a janitor or grocery store clerk. Over two decades later I still have to fight that underlying sense that I’m supposed to be doing something grand. Even in first discovering Orthodoxy, I entertained notions of being a monk, or at least living a single life, piously dedicated to God. 9 years now in the Church, I’m a father of 4 working a 9-5, struggling to love my wife and children well and keeping my temper, impatience and rabid selfishness in check. So much is not what I’d imagined it’d be. But I’m learning to be good with that and to love the life I’ve been given, the life God knew in His infinite wisdom I needed.
Thank you. I think some people get encouragement from reading "lives of the saints" but some of us get discouraged that our lives are not that meaningful, dramatic and we'd probably fail the test of what they went through.... as if our "normal existence" isn't REALLY spiritual. Sigh.
Even Christ was tempted. Temptation itself is not the sin, acquiescing to the temptation, which Christ did not do, becomes the sin. Overcoming the temptation is overcoming the potential sin.
I’ve listened to your podcasts and read your posts for years. All too often, you seem to be speaking my own private thoughts, pains, and frustrations. We’ve only spoken a few words to each other in person, so I don’t know how you do that. You’re a blessing to me. Thank you.
I attended a charismatic Bible school 20+ years ago. High power ‘worship’ services with flashing lights, sizzling guitar riffs and pounding drums were almost always accompanied with grand ‘prophesies’ about how we’d speak truth to power, change nations, convert the heathens and accomplish miracles and wonders across the face of the earth. No one ever got a prophecy that they were going to be a janitor or grocery store clerk. Over two decades later I still have to fight that underlying sense that I’m supposed to be doing something grand. Even in first discovering Orthodoxy, I entertained notions of being a monk, or at least living a single life, piously dedicated to God. 9 years now in the Church, I’m a father of 4 working a 9-5, struggling to love my wife and children well and keeping my temper, impatience and rabid selfishness in check. So much is not what I’d imagined it’d be. But I’m learning to be good with that and to love the life I’ve been given, the life God knew in His infinite wisdom I needed.
You are not far from the kingdom! God be with you!
Boy, this was music to my ears. Like usual, you hit the nail on the head. Thank you.
Also, that tropar; I was all smiles. Love it. Maybe when my kids play church, they can sing this version. Haha.
Oh, Saint Mediocritus…
Maybe I should change my name and shoot for sainthood just so that name is on record! HAHA!
This is simply beautiful. A lot of people need this.
Thank you. I think some people get encouragement from reading "lives of the saints" but some of us get discouraged that our lives are not that meaningful, dramatic and we'd probably fail the test of what they went through.... as if our "normal existence" isn't REALLY spiritual. Sigh.
Thank you once again Steve. My new confession, "Son of God, Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me, the most ordinary, mediocre of sinners.”
> ...it is overcoming with great effort the very ordinary sins that beset every human person, <<including Christ Himself>>
Uh.....what?
Even Christ was tempted. Temptation itself is not the sin, acquiescing to the temptation, which Christ did not do, becomes the sin. Overcoming the temptation is overcoming the potential sin.