BEing

From the book Shadow of the Almighty, by Elisabeth Elliot -- the following is part of a letter that Jim had written her:

" 'One of my renaissance experiences was to get among kids who were on a different spiritual level than my own, and enjoy fellowship with them. I found a very subtle snare in so doing. I sought their fellowship in order that I might minister to them, 'be a help,' you know, to these 'weaker' ones. What a rebuke came when I sensed my real motive - that I might minister. Love hacks right at this, for she refused to parade herself. I learned to recognize no 'spiritual planes,' but simply to love, purely, in every group. Trying to 'be a help' even has a smell of good works in it, for it is not pure. Our motive is only to be-do nothing, know nothing, act nothing-just to be a sinful bit of flesh, born of a Father's love. Then you see, Beloved, there can be no defeat."
(p.99-100)

In another place in the text, is the following, from a letter written by Jim:

"....The subject was 'What I as a Junior Wish Someone had Told Me When I was a Freshman.' I mentioned that beyond 'believing' and 'behaving' in the Christian life, there is also 'being,' and I brought in New Testament exhortations such as

'Be not ignorant.'
'Be not deceived.'
'Be sober.'
'Be vigilant.'
'Be mindful of the Word.'
'Be steadfast,' etc. " (p. 47)

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Well...perhaps being is a way of doing -- doing more unseen actions (although they could be noticed by others as well). Perhaps BEing can lead to doing more calculated, regular fruitful works. Although we should do good works, we should also try to BE more of who God wants us to be. I'm not saying this with a outwardly pointed finger.

Dear God, please make me BE more of the person you want me to be. Thank you. Amen.