In Greek the English word "perfect" means complete, finished, fully developed, and to this I add the word whole.
Perfect, in our present culture, is a tainted word. Nobody is perfect. But, can we become whole? My feeling is that this wholeness has it's genesis in the heart.
"And I will give them an heart to know me, That I am the Lord: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God: for they shall return unto me with their whole heart."
Jeremiah 24:7
More than halfway through an online course entitled Living Brave, I am finding clearer answers to the question, "How can I become more wholehearted?" Integrating my thinking, feeling, and doing is the pathway. The scriptures use different words. The words there are heart, might, mind, and strength. Feelings arise and if we choose to feel with a whole heart we can monitor our thinking and submit to the spirit of God. His spirit guides us to doing kindness and love.
Recently, I found myself in a doctors office checking out my swollen ankle. As he asked his countless questions I felt more and more defensive. Did I do something wrong to cause this malady? My feelings were crying out for validation. My mind began a comparative suffering campaign. How many people did I know who were worse off than I was? How was I going to be limited by this problem. So jumbled were my thoughts that I stopped listening to the doctor. I felt for the Spirit to right my course. Wrong thinking and tender feelings were setting me on a course of wrong doing. Not breaking the commandments does not mean you are wholehearted. There are many more levels of wholeness than keeping the "thou shalt nots". I can feel whole when I do not react to my feelings without some thought. To that I add being mindful of what is parading through my head. If the spirit leads me out of my own disconnectedness, I can feel whole, for an hour, for a day, maybe even longer. This hope of being wholly His is ever before me even when I am weak and petty, again.
"Worship him with your might, mind, and strength and your whole soul; and if ye do this ye shall in nowise be cast out."
2 Nephi 25:29
Love your thoughts here. I relate to those times when my mind and feelings seem to be pulling in different directions. It is important to take a step back and to try to submit our whole heart to God.
ReplyDeleteI was waiting for you to use the word surrender (to God). :)
DeleteThank you for sharing your thoughts about being whole! Oh that we would all be people who would be wholly submitted to the Lord, loving Him with our whole heart.
ReplyDeleteRachel, wouldn't that be a blessing? I hope I would feel comfortable in their presence.
DeleteIndeed, this was along the same lines of mine. :)
ReplyDeletevisiting from FMF I enjoyed going through your page.
Yes, Maxine, after reading your post I would agree we were thinking in similar paths.
DeleteGreat thoughts on being whole.
ReplyDeleteThank-you Tara.
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