The scribbler

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I am a teenage mutant ninja turtle. Simple, witty, outgoing. Responsible, introvert, dressy. Ranidaphobic, choleric, asthmatic. Loves KPop, pandas, boys, and chocolates. Family and goal-oriented. Pianist, blogger, proud Iska. An eighteen-year-old imperfect young Filipina lass who's an expert in irony and sarcasm. Loves writing, eats a lot, cries easily and has a special talent with her pinky finger. Loves loving and being loved.

Thursday, March 11, 2010

Obedience & Submission.

It is a great thing to be in obedience, to live under a superior, and give up one’s independence. It is much safer to submit to authority than to exercise it.

Many are under authority from necessity rather than love, and such people suffer misery and soon begin to complain. They will never attain freedom of mind unless they submit whole-heartedly for the sake of God. You can run from one place to another, but you can find peace only in humble submission under the direction of a superior. Many people have been deceived by fancying other places and by moving out.

Every one of us likes to do what he himself thinks is best, and we tend to side with those who agree with us. Yet if God is among us, it is sometimes necessary to abandon our conviction to keep the blessing of peace. No one is wise enough to know every detail and circumstance; so you must not rely exclusively on your own judgment but be prepared to hear what others think.

If your opinion is a valid one and, for God’s sake, yet you give it up in favor of another’s, you will make great progress by it. I have often heard it said that it is safer to listen and receive advice than to give it.

It can also happen that each man’s opinion is a sound one, but it is a sign of obstinacy and pride to be unwilling to give way to others when reasons and circumstances demand it.

Reference:

Thomas A. Kempis, The Imitation of Christ

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