In a comment to last week’s Other Sheep post, Alan W. wrote, “I’m reminded of the movie Chariots of Fire and the line said by Eric Liddell, the Scottish Christian representing Great Britain in the 1924 Paris Olympics: ‘I believe God made me for a purpose, but He also made me fast. And when I run I feel His pleasure.’ ” This was reminiscent of another quote and its application, which has become critical to my own life. Granted, there’s some personal opinion here, so take it with a grain of salt.
Iraneus was an early church father, helping to guide those on the journey of faith during the critical years not long after Christ’s death. Some wise words attributed to Iraneus are these: “The glory of God is man fully active.” What does this mean?
Man has a body. To be fully active is to use my physical self to whatever extent I’m able, and certainly not to abuse it.
Man has a soul, consisting of mind, will, and emotions. A fully active soul will be mentally stimulated, disciplined, and will find reasons to cry, laugh, be excited, even angry at times.
Man has a spirit, which, when fully active, communes with and serves God who dwells both in heaven and within fellow human beings.
Jesus said “I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” Eric Liddell stated: “When I run I feel His pleasure.” According to Iraneus, “The glory of God is man fully active.” Of course the specifics will be different for each individual, but I take all this as telling me to engage every element of my created being on a regular basis. That’s just my personal opinion.
(P.S. – Thanks, Alan W., for the comment that sparked me to put these thoughts, which have been on my mind for years, in writing.)
Thanks – glad I could play a part in such a beautifully articulated post. One of the strongest thoughts I have right now is that God is in this and therefore it will inspire others to embrace this amazing gift of life. May we all take up God’s challenge to live fully in the moment with passion and a spirit of adventure.