Something to Think About

"Attractions to certain persons can be a powerful way God acts in human ordinary life.  Holiness doesn't consist in Buddhist detachment from every single desire, but in fine harmony of discerning which desires are the stirrings of the Holy Spirit so that one might do God's will passionately, yet indifferently." 

Terrance McGoldrick reflecting on Francis de Sales and how passionate desire is a virtue in Christian friendship

Comments

[preacherman]

Wonderful thoughts for us to meditate on today. Thanks for your post and blog brother. I can't wait to get a copy of your book! Hope you have a great day. :-)

[Karin]

A wonderful gift from the Lord is to have an affinity for, a sense of kinship with or an attraction to the spirit of another, male or female, which God then uses to draw people closer to Himself. The Lord uses both to teach each another the deeper, more eternal things. I've not learned much from folks who rub me the wrong way, focus on self first, are arrogant,antagonistic and domineering in their approach. I have learned much, much more from folks with whom I easily connect, who demonstrate love, respect and appreciation. And the learning has been life long, lasting and a joy! There is then stirred in us a passionate desire to be continually mutually edified and encouraged for greater service to Him!I thank God for those forever friends - male or female! What treasures!

[ian]

Thank you for your site. I always suspected that something like this would exist. I'm wondering why scriptural texts that support cross gender friendships are not often discussed? Maybe my complete newness to the site has obscured proper discussion of these scriptures. The woman at the well story changed things for me. All those years believing that I should not have any maeningful contact with women other than my wife, sister and mother, and yet here is Jesus, crossing gender boundaries with complete ease and assurance. Then, the story of Solomon and the Queen of Sheba showed me that I could respect the sovereignty of other women and yet share with them, each being enriched by the exchange. For me as a bloke, it is essential to come to terms with the respective differences between intimacy, sexuality and sex. This helps me to see others as much more than existential blips on my "what's in it for me" radar. Smashing that particular idol was fun.