Just trust in the Lord

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First case in point: "The point does not concern morality but apathy." (Manning 2000, The Ragamuffin Gospel, p. 110).  Manning makes this conclusion after retelling the parable of the 'crafty steward' who had come to be known as careless with the rich man's possessions.  The rich man no longer wanted his stewardship after hearing such rumors.  He demanded an account of his spending.  The steward looked at his options.  Hard labour and begging were out of the question, and he wanted to ensure he'd be welcomed by people once he'd lost his job.  So, what he did was call all the people who owed his master money, and he demanded less or half of what they owed the rich man.  The rich man did not respond with disdain, but praised the crafty steward instead.  

Manning encourages us to imitate his shrewdness.  He is commended also by Jesus because instead of self-pity, he went into action and made the best out of the situation.  He acted resourcefully instead of wondering why and questioning God's will.  It is at this stage that Manning wrote that the point does not concern morality but apathy.  

"When the craving for reassurances is stifled, trust happens," Manning writes (p. 113).  Trust is not dependent on someone's response.  It simply is knowing that the outcome will be for good, even if only in the long run.  This point came up in a previous reading of Yancey with regards to acceptance of self, which leads to an intimacy with the self, and inner peace, for you are as God made you.

Manning's chapter from which I quote was titled Grazie, Signore to emphasize the importance of gratitude and thankfulness, which ties up very nicely with last night's message of thanking God in trust that He has answered already rather than asking for things.  

"Preoccupation with self is always a major component of unhealthy guilt and recrimination...The language of unhealthy guilt is harsh.  It is demanding, abusing, criticizing, rejecting, accusing, blaming, condemning, reproaching, and scolding.  It is one of impatience and chastisement." (p. 114)  When I read this, I understood all these components, and yet I looked at them not as reactions of guilt but pride.  After all, this language is spoken by human beings, and this attitude seems to come from a place of authority, hurt, the need for power and control, judgement, a false sense of wrong and right, and self-righteousness.  Or is it a spirit?  Are the words walls?  Are the walls defenses against helplessness and inner turmoil?

I realise I cannot change people, not even by example, for I often fail to be one, so this statement really resonated with me, "...our deep gratitude to Jesus Christ is manifested neither in being chaste, honest, sober and respectable, nor in church-going, Bible-toting and Psalm-singing, but in our deep and delicate respect for one another. " (p. 120)

Furthermore, Manning says, "To evangelise a person is to say to him or her: you, too, are loved by God in the Lord Jesus.  And not only to say it but to really think it and relate it to the man or woman so they can sense it.  This is what it means to announce the Good News.  But that becomes possible only by offering the person your friendship; a friendship that is real, unselfish, without condescension, full of confidence, and profound esteem." (p. 121) 

And so I have learnt that God appreciates a resourceful person, though he does not excuse his actions, and that "immediate response is the mood of the kingdom." (p. 110)  When I think about what I can do in my situation, I know that respect is the key, and setting aside my selfishness is important in order to share the love of Jesus with others, and not just keep it to myself.  


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