Following Links

This morning I got on my laptop and began the routine by going through my email.  One thing led to another.  There was an article that linked to a blog that linked to a youtube video.  I found myself listening to a commencement speech by author David Foster Wallace.  I thought that it was interesting on several levels.  The first of which is that much of what he discussed I was planning on writing about this morning anyway.  But he also had a lot to say about being self centered and looking beyond ourselves.

In his speech, Wallace says that we all have a default setting that confirms that we are in fact the center of the universe and that getting beyond that point takes deliberate effort. 

 It is very easy to fall into a trap where everything that we see comes through the lens of how does it effect me.  And we can become quite indignant that others have not considered how their actions affect me.  They seem to behave as if they are the center of the universe, but we all know that it is me.

The reality is that when we approach life in this way.  When we look at the world as though it is all about me, we will come to the point where our talents and abilities do not measure up to the needs at hand.  Not even close.  At those times we see how painfully short our own efforts will leave us.

But the grace of God is sufficient.  When we embrace that idea; when we realize that there is a correct path for our lives and that surrendering ourselves to the will of God will lead us on that path; then we can see the world through a different lens.  God has a plan for each of us and by submitting to the will of God we can be part of a greater purpose.

Watch this clip from Pastor Chris.

We follow the links.  We accept the grace of God that came through Jesus Christ.  We allow that grace to change us in ways that we could never change ourselves.  We see the world through the Love that God has for us all,  And we allow the grace of God to work through us.  Not a bad path at all.