From Eyes turned outward ( Posted by Andy White on Saturday, July 22nd, 2006 at 9:29 am. )
Found this to be quite interesting, and enlightening. Especially the idea of asking God to step aside when we prefer to accomodate the need for other people to like us and this thought that follows.
If we need to please, we act with an agenda; we attach huge conditions to our actions, basically saying “I am doing this so that you will like me.†God can’t shine through such acts because he has, at our request – as Dallas Willard pointed out – graciously stepped aside, and isn’t actually present. Consequently, our actions become nothing more than empty, selfish gestures.
I think God might still be present, but, not in the way I would want. It’s a powerful thought though.
Thanks Andy…