Thoughts from Hope Nottingham's Friendship Projects Coordinator - Rosie Allen
Matthew 16:7 – You’re not in the driver’s seat
Then Jesus went to work on his disciples. “Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You’re not in the driver’s seat; I am. Don’t run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I’ll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self. What kind of deal is it to get everything you want but lose yourself? What could you ever trade your soul for?”
Following God, your Soul and the Spirit / Essence within us all…
In today’s society we are so quick to lose ourselves in work, in relationships, in social lives and the media – forgetting what is so important. We put pressure on ourselves to know better, do better or to heal ourselves in all the different human ways we’ve been told to. We believe in self-care days – that really just add more pressure on ourselves.
When Jesus says, “self-sacrifice is the way”, instead of us creating and conceptualising thoughts of people and situations into more fear and anger, we need to sacrifice ourselves to God and the Spirit and realise these are all old memories we are replaying from past hurt.
It is about releasing the pressure, softening the soul, and realising we aren’t in the driver’s seat. God is and we need to lean on that thought when we feel life’s pressures. It’s knowing God and knowing you have been put on this journey – to bring you back to self each time by learning through all the trials and tribulations. It’s knowing it’s not personal – it’s life. That’s why souls connect with each other – to help one another better understand and walk this life together – with trust. It is knowing of the trust within – when we take life too seriously or don’t know where to turn – to look within and to always trust you know the right thing to do – with God’s guidance.
That is why Hope is here and we’re all in each other’s lives – to help each other better understand ourselves and our pasts. Jesus taught this and that’s how I’ve learnt to do this in my life – when we feel other’s pain; help them to realise their strengths, their inner power to overcome life’s struggles and to see their greatness.
We are in a society where material possessions are valued more than what the soul can provide – losing one’s soul for something or someone can bring the toughest battle in one’s life to overcome and return back to their true self. Life is to help people realise and come back to self throughout all the distractions in this world.
You could never trade your soul – we are all perfect in our own ways and there is Hope for all of us.
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