NCD Discipleship Resources
28 day homework assignment
As directed by my 28 day tutor, I re-read the section on the ascetic style. Form a rational point of view I discovered that giving up a pleasure to take more time thinking of God was not a difficult thing to do. Everything we have is from God and we are just stewards of our "things." What I discovered was that I can give up things for God, but it just does not seem to be that important. I wonder if anyone else feels this way.
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Hi there,
As a fellow pilgrim who shares your native and opposite spiritual styles, I suspect that perhaps your results from the survey are quite balanced. That is to say, even though ascetic is your opposite style, perhaps it is at a fairly high level (and that you are a fair way along on your spiritual journey to radical balance). My reason for suggesting this is that I do not find it all that easy to give up things in order to focus more on God (and the gap between my rational and ascetic style gives good reason for this). Though, increasingly I am discovering the value in doing so.
Aside from giving up physical tangible things on occasion, I have also taken to denying myself of the opportunity to "flex" my rational style on occasion when a person or situation could be helped by it (or at least I think they could ;-) This sometimes leads me to serve and experience the life of a person who is having trouble thinking things through. I could (and usually end up) providing rational assistance at some point. However, feeling that person's situation does help train me in the process of knowing God's heart (as opposed to head) in that context (and the empathy experienced by the other person does seem to be appreciated).
Just a couple of thoughts. I'd really like to hear more of your reflections on the topic.
Blessings
AJ