Once Upon A Time, Jesus made me look at what he wanted to cast out of me. 

How does that part of your story unfold?  Here’s the truth:  It is so easy to forget that our bodies moving through time and space on any given day are the vehicle and instrument of God’s love.  If we are free of interior and exterior blemishes, that love shines brilliantly to others.  If we have taken on a murky attitude or we are dominated by fear, that love is hidden and/or distorted.  If our strengths and resources are being guarded too tightly or if they are being used for something other than for God’s glory, they will be radically less effective.  They may even harm others. 

Finally, if we abuse our bodies through poor nutrition, or lethargy, or any number of addictions, we sacrifice awareness, energy and endurance.  When God wants to use us in some way, we won’t be prepared to serve. 

Some of the attitudes that Jesus zealously calls from me are: 

             Fear and doubt

Pride and Pretenses that try to assert my own

 preciousness

             Anything that is self indulgent at the

                        expense of another. 

             Any superficiality that tries to deceive others

                        about what is really happening

Usually it is a matter of gentle, consistent invitations to keep striving for the better ways of Jesus.  But every once in a while I experience a knock up side (or over) the head that says, “Hey, Pamela, there isn’t room in God’s temple (ie. YOUR life and your body) for this.  Quit it!”   

It seems that many of my most vigorous phases of ministry have been preceded by a time of being trimmed or tamed by Christ. 

Reflection:

Have you ever been confronted by the zeal of God’s cleansing love?  What needed to be removed from your life or from your physical behavior? What can you say about the result?