January 15, 2006
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Inferior things
When the will abandons what is above itself and turns to
what is lower, it
becomes evil-not because that is evil to
which it turns, but because the
turning itself is wicked.
Therefore it is not an inferior thing which has
made the will
evil, but it is itself which has become so by wickedly and
inordinately desiring an inferior thing.
… St. Augustine (354-430),
The City of God [426]The quote above was delivered
to my email-box this morning by Christian Quote of the Day.
That’s a service I enjoy because it is rather like getting a postcard
from some great spiritual person of the past every day.This quote really hit me between the eyes. Friday night some
friends and I were talking this very topic. If we do not allow
God to do exactly what He wants in our lives but rather put up walls
and barriers because we desire something else (security, popularity,
control – just to name a few) we are doing just as Augustine
said. We are inordinately desiring an inferior thing.
There’s a situation in my life right now where I would like to put down
some limits to what I’m “willing to endure”. How foolish that
would be – to make my emotional security the thing I wickedly and
inordinately desire. Of course I’m not talking about putting up
with abuse (emotional or physical) here. I’m talking about
putting up with risks and inconveniences, misunderstandings and slights
that naturally come with doing kingdom work. It was good to be
reminded not to abandon what (Who) is above myself and settle for,
desire, or demand something inferior.
