Self issues...

Today, while doing my Christian Ethics reading, I was struck by a few thoughts.

First and foremost this: we will one day have to account before God for our stewardship upon earth.

Too often, we emphasize on stewardship of our money, gifts and talents, work, responsibilities etc... but we forget that our bodies are too - part of the gifts God made us stewards over.

This problem applies to many spiritual leaders too. (I have lost count of physically burnt out pastors, as well as those who seem to think that they should work themselves to the bone and deny their need for a healthy lifestyle, balanced diet, adequate sleep and exercise, regular check-ups and holidays!)

Secondly, we often forget that love of oneself flows out from our primary love for God. We are as responsible to love ourselves as we are to love others. I don't mean some narcissistic or other wrong forms of self-love... but more likely - self-acceptance...nurture of our bodies... the delight in pursuing continuous growth intellectually, emotionally and spiritually... the enthusiasm to develop what comes natural to us... the participating in meaningful activities (and hobbies) that contribute to a sense of worth, fulfillment and purpose in life... AND exercising our right to do work that God has given us the passion to do. These may all sound controversial to self-denial - but honestly, can one truly deny oneself to express great love for others from an un-enriched state? Can we joyfully care for others without self-care and coming to grips with our own fragilities?

Can an empty cup further empty itself by giving out water to the thirsty?

We are relational beings. And therefore, I believe this: Only when we are right in our relationship with God and at home with ourselves can we truly form meaningful relationships with others. Thus Jesus summarized all the duties of man in both the Old and New Testament:

"Thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it: Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself." (Matt 22:37-39; Mark 12:30-31)