Monday, October 25, 2021

Reflection - Number Our Days - Nothing to Lose

Source (book): "Teach Us to Number Our Days", Chapter 36, "Nothing to Lose", Page 168.
By David Roper, Pastor, and regular and popular writer for Our Daily Bread.


The delicate seed-globe must break up now
PHOTO: The delicate seed-globe must break up now -
it gives and gives till it has nothing left.
- Lilias Trotter, Parables of the Cross

Salsifies grow in delicate profusion in the fields near our place in the mountains of Idaho. From June to August the plants produce spiked yellow flowers that open each morning and go to sleep at noon. In the late summer the flowers close up for good and swell into green pods that burst into puffballs. Then the wind blows the seeds away and there's nothing left but a bare stem.

It strikes me that aging is somewhat like that: Time blow on us, and we lose bits and pieces of ourselves until there's nothing left to lose.

But I'm also reminded that a salsify comes to fruition by surrendering itself. It dies that it might bear much fruit, though it has no idea when or where its seeds will fall. Jesus states the case plainly: "If anyone comes to me and does not hate . . . his own life - he cannot be my disciple." (Luke 14:26, emphasis added)

To hate ourselves is not to despise ourselves, but to love and give in such measure that it looks as though we're taking no thought for ourselves, an idea at odds with the wisdom of our age - or of any age for that matter. The fundamental dictum of the human race is to look out for "number one." But Jesus teaches us to give up our lives - forget about them. This is the point of the Beatitudes, the Sermon on the Mount, and most of Jesus' parables. And it is illustrated by His entire life, by the Incarnation, by His willingness to empty himself and, ultimately, to give himself up to death for our sake.

We find ourselves by giving ourselves away. "Whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it," Jesus assures us. (Mark 8:35) And Paul, writing of Jesus' willingness to empty himself of self, concludes, "Therefore God exalted him to the highest place." (Philippians 2:9)

This is the way to joy, to meaning and purpose, to peace of mind, to tranquility and rest. This is deliverance from the dullness, dreariness, and emptiness of a self-centered existence, deliverance from the vague unhappiness and restlessness that overwhelm us when we live solely for ourselves.

Furthermore, this is the way to sustain the greatest influence on others. "All who would . . . multiply [God's] kingdom must do so through surrender and sacrifice," says Elisabeth Elliot. And in my own experience, those who have had the greatest impact on me are not the brightest and the best but those who have given themselves in love, self-surrender, and sacrifice. These are the men and women who have imparted new life to me.

Lilias Trotter, in her book Parables of the Cross, painted a watercolor of a dandelion seed-globe that "long ago surrendered its golden petals, and has reached its crowning stage of dying." Over the top of the dandelion seed-globe she wrote, "I am now ready to be offered." She was quoting Paul: "For I now ready to be offered," or literally, "I am already being poured out like a drink offering." (2 Timothy 4:6) The drink offering was a goblet of wine poured on the altar of sacrifice. Poof! A flash of luminous flame, and nothing is left but sweet aroma.

Miss Trotter continued: "[The dandelion] stands ready, holding up its little life, not knowing when or where or how the wind that bloweth where it listeth (John 3:8 KJV, The wind that blows where it wishes) may carry it away. It holds itself no longer for its own keeping, only as something to be given."

Measure thy life by loss and not by gain,
Not by the wine drunk, but by the wine poured forth,
For love's strength standeth in love's sacrifice,
And he who suffers most has most to give.
Picture posted by Podserve
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhHOg8FuPSW4Yny2AJ7YApQsaQ8AVBE6VSOyUC1dXNTZAMB02uTcsLsF2cjRlZy5fNGvmqPV5R-Jx0AwQ5TLUwcjBL96s-q6MUzFFR5rRiUnK8o_LjBXcim7v89z8Jgy6j7-UoDh4CZs4RbyH-JVwZQqMWH7cVhQkHdlkq1NElkgfvFI1w8mo7OV5zp=s1400
https://media.podserve.fm/media/user_5760/logos/CC1FF79A-F650-4B65-8BFF-B7DB67424758_hiRbh6N.jpg
https://www.podserve.fm/w/ensimplespalabras_con_LillyyJoel/42305
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2021/06/reflection-number-our-days-counting-days.html


The delicate seed-globe must break up now -
it gives and gives till it has nothing left.
- Lilias Trotter, Parables of the Cross


The delicate seed-globe must break up now - it gives and gives till it has nothing left.
PHOTO: The delicate seed-globe must break up now - it gives and gives till it has nothing left.
- Lilias Trotter, Parables of the Cross
Painting by Austin Blasingame - “Lilias Trotter” c.2014
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgjv0yqMrVZal03OzfedPCTqPLQB4AJFciH4lXFaylAmasHf0UnrRUShh0Mir5qpN2Xj1TYm0HeUI7507dncrEtRrVEG5t9uei5l9kZtc83tiwJSIfaD2g1ZBlMKOpzoVBAwmCoFD_VtzJ3KoH6Y3k5IDNLjDZ3ExCIC0SzyWbkBEw85lTxkQ8zhz1i=s1023
https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/756/21886705496_f685d47679_b.jpg
https://www.rodwhite.net/lilias-trotter-how-higher-life-kill/


Salsifies grow in delicate profusion in the fields near our place in the mountains of Idaho. From June to August the plants produce spiked yellow flowers that open each morning and go to sleep at noon. In the late summer the flowers close up for good and swell into green pods that burst into puffballs. Then the wind blows the seeds away and there's nothing left but a bare stem.

It strikes me that aging is somewhat like that: Time blow on us, and we lose bits and pieces of ourselves until there's nothing left to lose.


Salsifies grow in delicate profusion in the fields in the mountains of Idaho.
PHOTO: Salsifies grow in delicate profusion in the fields in the mountains of Idaho. From June to August the plants produce spiked yellow flowers that open each morning and go to sleep at noon. In the late summer the flowers close up for good and swell into green pods that burst into puffballs. Then the wind blows the seeds away and there's nothing left but a bare stem.
Picture posted by Br. Alfred Brousseau, Saint Mary's College - The scientific name of yellow salsify is Tragopogon dubius Scop
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjAZ0mmCRl5azyWxdY4-Qt4xjIgzf3twYuxYbwvtipIbxotaH7oss0kQ3MM5heJokNqNgFDIoclJaZ8TXPiF29zV-tijRFVuuf5xEipx5tMufYkYHaJQIEUlCcCjUdFrqfFdYWS9WSSBoC4Dd4WayKew0LFQbeys99yYf1sJLVgSCgJuNrg20-48twU=s446
https://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/forb/tradub/flower&fruit.jpg
https://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/forb/tradub/all.html


But I'm also reminded that a salsify comes to fruition by surrendering itself. It dies that it might bear much fruit, though it has no idea when or where its seeds will fall. Jesus states the case plainly: "If anyone comes to me and does not hate . . . his own life - he cannot be my disciple." (Luke 14:26, emphasis added) [181]


Salsify comes to fruition by surrendering itself.
PHOTO: Salsify comes to fruition by surrendering itself. It dies that it might bear much fruit, though it has no idea when or where its seeds will fall. Jesus states the case plainly: "If anyone comes to me and does not hate . . . his own life - he cannot be my disciple." (Luke 14:26, emphasis added)
Picture posted by Go Botany - The scientific name of yellow salsify is Tragopogon dubius Scop
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEihuoDvuv9jWXX4o3cVO813ZGmtl_tQcwt60CGVG60Wn6j0y62kUQCJQs2wuB4ZGR75pk-vdmHSDafA0etP6aU68Hr8h0e624m717z5bl3ePMg8Gbg_kJixzn9Md5asHkkQxPoSHH-sRbCFjche3Iratg50bYYzo4DZ8JYetMUULMReRj1J45Jxep-s=s1000
https://newfs.s3.amazonaws.com/taxon-images-1000s1000/Asteraceae/tragopogon-dubius-ha-esaulys.jpg
https://gobotany.nativeplanttrust.org/species/tragopogon/dubius/


To hate ourselves is not to despise ourselves, but to love and give in such measure that it looks as though we're taking no thought for ourselves, an idea at odds with the wisdom of our age - or of any age for that matter. The fundamental dictum of the human race is to look out for "number one." But Jesus teaches us to give up our lives - forget about them. This is the point of the Beatitudes, the Sermon on the Mount, and most of Jesus' parables. And it is illustrated by His entire life, by the Incarnation, by His willingness to empty himself and, ultimately, to give himself up to death for our sake.


To hate ourselves is not to despise ourselves, but to love and give in such measure that it looks as though we're taking no thought for ourselves, an idea at odds with the wisdom of our age - or of any age for that matter.
PHOTO: To hate ourselves is not to despise ourselves, but to love and give in such measure that it looks as though we're taking no thought for ourselves, an idea at odds with the wisdom of our age - or of any age for that matter. The fundamental dictum of the human race is to look out for "number one."
Picture posted by Akshata Nayak on 12 March 2017
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL3cEnQpjdziJNRll5Bb7TMuG6uUmaDt7T1zEyupyhrxjHWtMA1-lX_LzdlGS0IrxJRanKoWfuqWMrt3ErrHvrs-d_v6qoOCDBwWqBkNn5dFpVccEBsySc28M0SQlLddACumhkdvqt-Zc/s786/da7145589061a5422daa3abbe1404f54.jpg
https://i.pinimg.com/564x/da/71/45/da7145589061a5422daa3abbe1404f54.jpg
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/607000856012105045/
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2021/01/reflection-health-and-frailties_26.html


The point of the Beatitudes, the Sermon on the Mount, and most of Jesus' parables is illustrated by His entire life, by the Incarnation, by His willingness to empty himself and, ultimately, to give himself up to death for our sake.
PHOTO: The point of the Beatitudes, the Sermon on the Mount, and most of Jesus' parables is illustrated by His entire life, by the Incarnation, by His willingness to empty himself and, ultimately, to give himself up to death for our sake.
Picture saved by C H I N E U R to P R E N T K U N S T
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyMMaSIYp-4HABXFraqD-VQP_gFWf9g8UZtDuHUQJeh7hqYRKBWN6iwcxenh0kkh8QVh6H-Xe0zNS6ttVL_zZk6_Q7TTb4f7LoR6_KYSEqYbJ6H3miAhyphenhyphenSeHYLY4ZF4uRjNWZoI1FbI9o/s1600/f153dbd84e0b6e9fd809ff74ad3150a9.jpg
https://i.pinimg.com/564x/f1/53/db/f153dbd84e0b6e9fd809ff74ad3150a9.jpg
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/764908317935103417/
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/05/reflection-god-repents-human-vs-divine.html


We find ourselves by giving ourselves away. "Whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it," Jesus assures us. (Mark 8:35) [182] And Paul, writing of Jesus' willingness to empty himself of self, concludes, "Therefore God exalted him to the highest place." (Philippians 2:9) [183]


We find ourselves by giving ourselves away.
PHOTO: We find ourselves by giving ourselves away. "Whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it," Jesus assures us. (Mark 8:35) And Paul, writing of Jesus' willingness to empty himself of self, concludes, "Therefore God exalted him to the highest place." (Philippians 2:9)
Picture from Wikimedia Commons, the free media repository
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwQ3wBE-T_vpea0bblehAxlvmc14MRDq1x9qvwcuo3a9fXOJx-nQwGDDuOmxwP_vdOSgjzWQoHl6GMFHZ4DMYmu5D_yd86WnQRVq_umla0yqbOOiUifPSj74mDRUmBZIwd4LFvSuqKsaY/s1600/Jesus_in_Palazzo_Barberini.jpg
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/69/Jesus_in_Palazzo_Barberini.jpg
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Jesus_in_Palazzo_Barberini.jpg
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2020/03/reflection-first-noel.html


This is the way to joy, to meaning and purpose, to peace of mind, to tranquility and rest. This is deliverance from the dullness, dreariness, and emptiness of a self-centered existence, deliverance from the vague unhappiness and restlessness that overwhelm us when we live solely for ourselves.


This is the way to joy, to meaning and purpose, to peace of mind, to tranquility and rest.
PHOTO: This is the way to joy, to meaning and purpose, to peace of mind, to tranquility and rest. This is deliverance from the dullness, dreariness, and emptiness of a self-centered existence, deliverance from the vague unhappiness and restlessness that overwhelm us when we live solely for ourselves.
Picture saved by Vapid Babble to Art
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlEKy5zje1HNtVxY7ysXkTSy5dv109CeJqjPddbHd6uTQcsRX4c84Ief5wd52b2A-sWaeS3hZpeUx08IFoiVHhH6AERHze5gCS3JXIT8zkl0tb4Oz6XVm_879Le0QLEoboVr_ZM0DDFf0/s775/be27a0f76232fd6908a1dfc0412db7c2.jpg
https://i.pinimg.com/564x/be/27/a0/be27a0f76232fd6908a1dfc0412db7c2.jpg
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/549298485777260907/
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2021/01/reflection-health-and-frailties_26.html


Furthermore, this is the way to sustain the greatest influence on others. "All who would . . . multiply [God's] kingdom must do so through surrender and sacrifice," says Elisabeth Elliot. [184] And in my own experience, those who have had the greatest impact on me are not the brightest and the best but those who have given themselves in love, self-surrender, and sacrifice. These are the men and women who have imparted new life to me.


All who would . . . multiply [God's] kingdom must do so through surrender and sacrifice
PHOTO: "All who would . . . multiply [God's] kingdom must do so through surrender and sacrifice," says Elisabeth Elliot. Those who have had the greatest impact on us are not the brightest and the best but those who have given themselves in love, self-surrender, and sacrifice. These are the men and women who have imparted new life to us.
Picture posted by Pars Stock
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjOYWrx93wbUKhLGkSVQ6B82-KrnthNGNAne2OEiFOo0Q5Atmx2gm_LUKmPfZfSRlnhCfQO4OfQ0anCZtFfKizzIqevVTPNwAIqMzn1EIqroW89u7hk_pKRV52C0gWT0JLfj8rpCoprSYfddXeOC_9gQ0fkqYAR1Q8wV1l4Kmf24oncCtTsqlNw_j7Z=s600
https://parsstock.ir/600/10151/409831396-چكيده-گل-قاصدک-کرکی-ilration-بردار.jpg
https://parsstock.ir/pic-303077/چكيده-گل-قاصدک-کرکی-ilration-بردار.aspx


Lilias Trotter, in her book Parables of the Cross, painted a watercolor of a dandelion seed-globe that "long ago surrendered its golden petals, and has reached its crowning stage of dying." Over the top of the dandelion seed-globe she wrote, "I am now ready to be offered." She was quoting Paul: "For I now ready to be offered," or literally, "I am already being poured out like a drink offering." (2 Timothy 4:6) [185] The drink offering was a goblet of wine poured on the altar of sacrifice. Poof! A flash of luminous flame, and nothing is left but sweet aroma.


Lilias Trotter, in her book Parables of the Cross, painted a watercolor of a dandelion seed-globe
PHOTO: Lilias Trotter, in her book Parables of the Cross, painted a watercolor of a dandelion seed-globe that "long ago surrendered its golden petals, and has reached its crowning stage of dying." Over the top of the dandelion seed-globe she wrote, "I am now ready to be offered."
Picture posted by mhrockness on  15 March 2013
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiuB_I0wPslXoYeTyMimFganp0tdMIEPOK1Vwf_-fxwct20rjoV9srOxPwuXj8X9E54aqZg9pmMD4wsqhyGQXfjXRYCqwgC8iMSkDCcJlM1lRccvh30g72TPXe1wGmLK6zRMDgkHAqzA010K4ccb-A6zHU_8jECi_Pun_QtVROSqpI3mQzuMBPS5COf=s2048
https://ililiastrotter.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/dandelion.jpg
https://ililiastrotter.wordpress.com/2013/03/15/the-lesson-of-the-dandelion/


Miss Trotter continued: "[The dandelion] stands ready, holding up its little life, not knowing when or where or how the wind that bloweth where it listeth (John 3:8 KJV, The wind that blows where it wishes) may carry it away. It holds itself no longer for its own keeping, only as something to be given."

Measure thy life by loss and not by gain,
Not by the wine drunk, but by the wine poured forth,
For love's strength standeth in love's sacrifice,
And he who suffers most has most to give. [186]


Watercolor – from Parables of the Cross
PHOTO: "Dear Lord, we learn that salsifies grow in delicate profusion in the fields producing spiked yellow flowers that open each morning and go to sleep at noon. In the late summer the flowers close up for good and swell into green pods that burst into puffballs. Then the wind blows the seeds away and there's nothing left but a bare stem.

Our aging is somewhat like that: Time blow on us, and we lose bits and pieces of ourselves until there's nothing left to lose.

We are reminded that a salsify comes to fruition by surrendering itself. It dies that it might bear much fruit, though it has no idea when or where its seeds will fall. Jesus states the case plainly: ‘If anyone comes to me and does not hate . . . his own life - he cannot be my disciple.’

Lord we learn that To hate ourselves is not to despise ourselves, but to love and give in such measure that it looks as though we're taking no thought for ourselves.

This idea is at odds with the wisdom of our age - or of any age because the fundamental dictum of the human race is to look out for ‘number one.’ May we learn from what Jesus taught us - to give up our lives - forget about them. This is illustrated by His entire life, by the Incarnation, by His willingness to empty himself and, ultimately, to give himself up to death for our sake.

Jesus assures us that we find ourselves by giving ourselves away. ‘Whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it.’ Jesus' willingness to empty himself of self, had Paul concluding ‘Therefore God exalted him to the highest place’

We pray for Your help to learn that this is the way to joy, to meaning and purpose, to peace of mind, to tranquillity and rest. This is deliverance from the dullness, dreariness, and emptiness of a self-centred existence, deliverance from the vague unhappiness and restlessness that overwhelm us when we live solely for ourselves.

Help us to learn that this is the way to sustain the greatest influence on others. Because ‘all who would . . . multiply [God's] kingdom must do so through surrender and sacrifice.’ Those who have had the greatest impact on us are not the brightest and the best but those who have given themselves in love, self-surrender, and sacrifice. These are the men and women who have imparted new life to us.

May we offer ourselves, like a dandelion seed-globe that ‘long ago surrendered its golden petals, and has reached its crowning stage of dying.’ And be able to be like Paul, who was ‘already being poured out like a drink offering.’

We will then be like the dandelion which stands ready, holding up its little life, not knowing when or where or how the wind blows where it wishes, and carry it away. It holds itself no longer for its own keeping, only as something to be given.

Through Lord Jesus Christ we pray. Amen!"
Picture posted by Voronin76, Shuttertock
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https://image.shutterstock.com/shutterstock/photos/143913277/display_1500/stock-photo-the-beautiful-woman-in-flowers-of-cherry-143913277.jpg
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https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2021/06/reflection-number-our-days-counting-days.html

Reflection - Number Our Days - Nothing to Lose
Source (book): "Teach Us to Number Our Days", Chapter 36, "Nothing to Lose", Page 168.
By David Roper, Pastor, and regular and popular writer for Our Daily Bread.



"Faithful to the end", A Preacher's Exposition of 2 Timothy, @ 2014 by Robert M. Solomon

'Faithful to the end', A Preacher's Exposition of 2 Timothy, @ 2014 by Robert M. Solomon<br>
Reflection - Faithful to the end (Links)
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2017/06/reflection-faithful-to-end-links.html


"Finding rest for the soul" Responding to Jesus' Invitation in Matthew 11:28-29, © 2016 by Robert M. Solomon

Reflection - Finding rest for the soul (Links)
Reflection - Finding rest for the soul (Links)
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2018/10/reflection-finding-rest-for-soul-links.html


"God in Pursuit" Lessons from the Book of Jonah, © 2016 by Robert M. Solomon

'Reflection - God in Pursuit (Links) - PART I-III, posted on Saturday, 10 August 2019
Reflection - God in Pursuit (Links) - PART I-III, posted on Saturday, 10 August 2019
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/08/reflection-god-in-pursuit-links-part-i.html


"God in Pursuit" Lessons from the Book of Jonah, © 2016 by Robert M. Solomon

'Reflection - God in Pursuit (Links) - PART IV, posted on Saturday, 10 August 2019
Reflection - God in Pursuit (Links) - PART IV, posted on Saturday, 10 August 2019
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/08/reflection-god-in-pursuit-links-part-iv.html 


"Songs of Christmas", The Stories and Significance of 20 Well-Loved Carols, © 2018 by Robert M. Solomon

Reflection - Songs of Christmas (Links), posted on Friday, 24 April 2020
Reflection - Songs of Christmas (Links), posted on Friday, 24 April 2020
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2020/04/reflection-songs-of-christmas-links.html
 

"Growing Old Gracefully", Following Jesus to the End, © 2019 by Robert M. Solomon

Reflection - Growing Old Gracefully, Part I - III (Links), posted on Wednesday, 09 December 2020
Reflection - Growing Old Gracefully, Part I - III (Links), posted on Wednesday, 09 December 2020
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2020/12/reflection-growing-old-gracefully-part.html
 

Reflection - Growing Old Gracefully, Part IV - V (Links), posted on Thursday, 22 April 2021
Reflection - Growing Old Gracefully, Part IV - V (Links), posted on Thursday, 22 April 2021
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2020/12/reflection-growing-old-gracefully-part_9.html
 


Reference
[1] From "Teach Us to Number Our Days", Copyright © 2008 by David Roper, ISBN 978-981-11-7184-0, Chapter 36, "Nothing to Lose", Page 168-171.

[181] Luke 14:26, emphasis added

[182] Mark 8:35

[183] Philippians 2:9

[184] Elisabeth Elliot, A Path Through Suffering (Ann Arbor: Servant Publication, 1990), 101.

[185] 2 Timothy 4:6

[186] Ugo Basso, as quoted by Lilias Trotter in Parables of the Cross, https://ililiastrotter.wordpress.com/2013/03/15/the-lesson-of-the-dandelion/.


Links


New International Version (NIV), Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.


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