Religion is a very scary thing, because a pastor is in a position of power. And if you use that power badly, you ruin people's lives, and you ruin your own life.
Eugene H. PetersonRead
One way to define spiritual life is getting so tired and fed up with yourself you go on to something better, which is following Jesus.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote suggests that true spiritual growth often comes from recognizing personal dissatisfaction and seeking a higher purpose, exemplified by following Jesus.
Eugene H. Peterson articulates that a significant aspect of spiritual life involves a deep sense of weariness with one's current state or self. This dissatisfaction can serve as a catalyst for change, motivating individuals to pursue a more meaningful existence, which in his view is achievable through the teachings and example of Jesus. The underlying message emphasizes the transformative power of faith and the journey toward a greater purpose.
Themes
SpiritualityChangeFaithGrowthPurpose
In practice
Example use cases
During a spiritual retreat, one could reference this quote to inspire attendees to seek deeper fulfillment.
More from Eugene H. Peterson
All quotes βWhen we sin and mess up our lives, we find that God doesn't go off and leave us- he enters into our trouble and saves us.
Eugene H. PetersonRead
If you don't take a Sabbath, something is wrong. You're doing too much, you're being too much in charge. You've got to quit, one day a week, and just watch what God is doing when you're not doing anything.
Eugene H. PetersonRead
Christians don't simply learn or study or use Scripture; we assimilate it, take it into our lives in such a way that it gets metabolized into acts of love, cups of cold water, missions into all the world, healing and evangelism and justice in Jesus' name, hands raised in adoration of the Father, feet washed in company with the Son.
Eugene H. PetersonRead
Exile (being where we don't want to be with people we don't want to be with) forces a decision: Will I focus my attention on what is wrong with the world and feel sorry for myself? Or will I focus my energies on how I can live at my best in this place I find myself?...'I will do my best with what is here.'
Eugene H. PetersonRead
The Latin words humus, soil/earth, and homo, human being, have a common derivation, from which we also get our word 'humble.' This is the Genesis origin of who we are: dust - dust that the Lord God used to make us a human being. If we cultivate a lively sense of our origin and nurture a sense of continuity with it, who knows, we may also acquire humility.
Eugene H. PetersonRead
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It is a hard matter, my fellow citizens, to argue with the belly, since it has no ears.
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