One theme in this blog is finding places where mindfulness is taught in Christian devotional literature and done without any self-awareness of it being mindfulness.
Today's post is from a devotional book, that is a compilation of writings from Jack Miller, who had a profound ministry as a seminary teacher and mission leader. The unnamed mindfulness theme here is relinquishment.
If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes. and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.Luke 14:26-27
Jesus wants to free us from our tendency to try and own his kingdom work. We should work hard, of course, but not for our own glory. We say we want to succeed for Jesus' sake, but often underneath is the desire to prove ourselves, to get our security from our success. When that happens, our work for God owns us. We become defensive, fragile, and vulnerable, emotional prisoners of our work. Then, if someone attacks our ministry or if it seems to be failing, we're shattered, our identity in tatters.
Being free from all that is as simple as giving up everything--our reputation, success, glory--and following Jesus. When we lay it all down to follow Jesus, then the success of our work is up to the Spirit, and our identity isn't tied to our success or failure. Jesus calls his disciples to give up everything and follow him. He calls us to the freedom of being attached to Christ and his kingdom. How liberating it is to discover grace afresh!
Miller, C. John. Saving Grace : Daily Devotions from Jack Miller. Greensboro, NC: New Growth Press, 2014, 141.