Henri Nouwen - Life of the Beloved
firstly, know that you are the beloved. Secondly, become the beloved. Enflesh the truth. a lifelong process. 3 spiritual disciplines - firstly, recognise the world for what it is - deceitful, lying, dealing always in condemnation and destruction. the truth is that you are the beloved, well-loved by the perfect One long before this world took you and spat you out. secondly, surround yourself with communities that speak this truth to you. thirdly, overflow with gratitude.
when you recognise that you are truly chosen, it does not breed in you any sense of superiority or arrogance, but rather, it opens your eyes to see the chosen-ness of every other person around you. when you no longer approach people in fear of rejection, or in a condemning spirit, you are free to fully engage with them, wholeheartedly, lovingly. that is why it is said that streams of living water will flow out from within us.
