...later I realized that all may experience God, if so be they truly seek Him rather than seek that which may come through Him. -- Joel Goldsmith, "The Heart of Mysticism," at p. 1018.
I have had to accept that the reason my living daily by spiritual principles has been so difficult for me is purely and simply because my ego is so firmly entrenched. Yet, we cannot, by our self-determined efforts alone, uproot ego. I'm convinced that it is only through seeking God alone that ego is derailed...go to God for God, that is all.
I think of the promise, somewhere in the Bible, "Seek ye first the kingdom of heaven, and all these things shall be added unto you." I often wonder if the last half of that sentence wasn't put there to tempt our ego. For years, it was nearly impossible for me to read that sentence without the last half springing forth with bright lights, party hats and bells a-ringing. "Seek ye first" kept getting lost in the glitter of the add-ons...and that can still take me unawares.
The kicker is learning that it is the ego that entraps us in trying to go to God for God and that is all...the key word is "trying." It is in the trying that we've thrown in with ego...trying to do His work for Him. It is not for us to wrest God unto ourselves, and God is not available on demand.
As Saint Augustine prayed, "Grant what thou commandest and then command what thou will." That's the ultimate security in living a turned over life, an essential if we are ever to live ego-free...if only for a day, or even momentarily! Because every moment if God-realized counts...God has no timetable, nor is He on the clock.
Thank you.
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