Monday, 25 September 2006

Dear Girls,

Dying to self

Remember the poem Dying to Self and the questions I emailed to you recently? Here is the poem again and an expansion on the questions:

When you are forgotten or neglected or purposely set at naught, and you sting and hurt with the insult or the oversight, but your heart is happy being counted worthy to suffer for Christ-that is Dying to Self.

When your good is evil spoken of, when your wishes are crossed, your advice is disregarded, your opinions ridiculed and you refuse to let anger rise in your heart, or even defend yourself, but take it all in patient loving silence-that is Dying to Self.

When you lovingly and patiently bear any disorder, any irregularity, or any annoyance, when you can stand face to face with waste, folly, extravagance, spiritual insensibility, and endure it as Jesus endured it-that is Dying to Self.

When you are content with any food, any offering, any raiment, any climate, any society, any attitude, any interruption by the will of God-that is Dying to Self.

When you never care to refer to yourself in conversation, or to record your own good works, or itch after commendation, when you can truly love to be unknown-that is Dying to Self.

When you see your brother prosper and have his needs met and can honestly rejoice with him in spirit and feel no envy nor question God, while your own needs are far greater and in desperate circumstances-that is Dying to Self.

When you can receive correction and reproof from one of less stature than yourself, can submit inwardly as well as outwardly, finding no rebellion or resentment rising up within your heart-that is Dying to Self.

~Author Unknown

Questions

What does it mean to be crucified with Christ or to die to self?

It means that you have to be completely selfless.

Christ’s grace is sufficient.

But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 2 Cor 12v9

You don’t live for yourself anymore. You live for God.

What are some of the character traits you will have if you have truly died to yourself?

Kind, Patient, Courtious, Loving, Humble, Listen (rather than speak)

How can you learn to die to yourself with your Dad?

If he is busy?

If he doesn’t show appreciation?

If he wants you to do something you normally don’t have to do?

How can you learn to die to yourself with your Mum?

If she cooks a horrible meal?

If she gives you ugly clothes to wear?

How can you learn to die to yourself with your brothers?

If they are annoying?

If they don’t respect your privacy?

If they make a mess all the time?

How can you learn to die to yourself with your sisters?

If they take things which are yours?

If they tell other people your secrets?

If they tell other people things which are not true about you?

How can you learn to die to yourself with your friends?

If they ignore you?

If they are spiteful and play with others instead of you?

If they interrupt you or don’t listen or just want to talk themselves?

How can you learn to die to yourself when your family has visitors?

And there aren’t enough of those yummy cakes to go around?

And you are tired, but your Mum needs help?

But you just want to be by yourself?

How can you learn to die to yourself when someone is being mean to you?

And others join in?

And you’ve never done anything mean to them?

Telling you things about yourself which are true/not true?

How can you learn to die to yourself when you are tired but can’t rest?

Because someone is in danger?

Because your parents need some help?

Because your friend (rightly or wrongly) needs you?

For the Greater Glory of God through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ,

Genevieve Smith

Issacharian Daughter