We can think aloud here. I feel it more generally acceptable when one states one is rambling in a sense of the word. Shall I think aloud myself? Why not?
Having lived a "somewhat" sacrificial life of giving and doing without, I can relate easily to death of self; quite possibly not in its purity but moreso standing at the door and knocking. That can leave a spirit in between both worlds, in a sense. Love, in its purist form...to me...., has me to reflect on Matthew 25: 35-36, "For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat; I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink; I was a stranger, and ye took me in; naked, and ye clothed me; I was sick, and ye visited me; I was in prison, and ye came unto me." If you are Christian, please forgive me if this does not fit the actual meaning out of context. If you are not Christian, please know I am taking this out of context.
These verses touch deeply into the heart of love; the heart of God, if I may say so hoping not to offend anyone. It is asking a lot of most people to have a giving heart. So many people throughout time have been looking for handouts when they could be working line the streets, fed by empathy, compassion, love, and sometimes even guilt. Some people will try to cleanse themselves in giving to others. The act of giving or doing these things can mean nothing more than an act. It is the heart that matters mostly, though a mere act can and will feed or clothe someone. Turn it up a notch and ask yourself, "Would I give a naked person my only food and clothing?" To me, that is selfless love in purity. The real sense of self has not gone away or been left on some deserted island; quite the contrary. Acknowledging one's own needs makes it easy to acknowledge the needs of others. If I have come to the vision of self requiring love, it is much easier to understand others need love. One might choose a life of service to others, and many have lived their time on earth as such.
I feel we may come to a point when God may give freely to us to be more fully adaptable in life circumstances, giving of Himself to us in retrospect
of the nature our heart has taken on, offering one a life now impelled by one's own heart of love for our fellow humankind. People may want to see what one is going to do with one's life, but one may stand in between the ideal and the surreal; a foot in the door of the ideal with the subconscious remaining in both worlds. Is there, then, a decision to be made as where to stand, or is one standing where one should be standing all along? It may be a struggle within oneself, but it is not that much of a struggle to impose a choice, as such.
The offering of self may not be the same as the denial of self, so I would like to add the offering of oneself to be looked at instead of the denial of self. To offer self for others is a great manifestation of love, when offered because of concern for others rather than an external show. Loving oneself is a prerequisite of this; yet, loving of oneself takes a back seat and needs are sometimes overlooked, put aside, neglected, and often not thought about. When the needs of others are cojoined at one's feet in vision of life,
one's feet may actually disappear from vision of life. The great expectations of others regarding one's self can be so misunderstood. I liken it unto one waiting to see a miracle while not realizing they are watching one. True love, unabridged and without fault. Enough rambling for awhile.
I must rest a bit and remind all this is merely thinking aloud; both with the mind and the heart.
