I'll Do What I Want

Our Western Culture has taught us to do "what we want when we want". We look to associate with those who give in to us ("yes men"), so we can pursue whatever we deem important (or our impulses) without giving them a second thought.

In The Imitation of Christ, German monk Thomas 'a Kempis writes: "Everyone, it is true, wishes to do as he pleases and is attracted to those who agree with him. But if God be among us, we must give up our opinions for the blessings of peace."

The failing in always giving way to what we want is that we never allow ourselves to be challenged and changed by others or by God. It is only through a continual yielding of our self (our desires, our ambitions, our need to "be right") that we can be made more and more in the likeness of Christ.

What "opinions" do you need to yield to in order to allow God to challenge and change you?