Those who think that they have arrived, have lost their way. Those who think they have reached their goal, have missed it. Those who think they are saints, are demons.
Interpretation
This quote emphasizes the importance of humility and the continual pursuit of self-improvement.
Henri Nouwen's quote challenges the notion of complacency and self-satisfaction in personal and spiritual achievements. It suggests that those who believe they have reached a definitive endpoint may actually be stagnant or misguided, and that true growth involves recognizing the ongoing journey of self-discovery and understanding of oneβs flaws. In this sense, it serves as a reminder to always strive for personal development and to maintain a humble attitude toward one's own perceived successes.
In practice
During a motivational speech about personal growth, this quote could illustrate the dangers of complacency.
The Christian leader of the future is called to be completely irrelevant and to stand in this world with nothing to offer but his or her own vulnerable self. God loves us, not because of what we do or accomplish, but because God has created and redeemed us in love.
The immense joy in welcoming back the lost son hides in the immense sorrow that has gone before....our brokenness may appear beautiful, but our brokenness has no other beauty but the beauty that comes from the compassion that surrounds it.
Suffering invites us to place our hurts in larger hands. In Christ we see God suffering β for us. And calling us to share in Godβs suffering love for a hurting world. The small and even overpowering pains of our lives are intimately connected with the greater pains of Christ. Our daily sorrows are anchored in a greater sorrow and therefore a larger hope.
To listen is very hard, because it asks of us so much interior stability that we no longer need to prove ourselves by speeches, arguments, statements or declarations. True listeners no longer have an inner need to make their presence known. They are free to receive, welcome, to accept.
Waiting is a dry desert between where we are and where we want to be. (Finding My Way Home)
Becoming the beloved is pulling the truth revealed to me from above down into the ordinariness of what I am, in fact, thinking of, talking about and doing from hour to hour.
And as the ax bites into the wood, be comforted in the fact that the ache in your heart and the confusion in your soul means that you are still alive, still human, and still open to the beauty of the world, even though you have done nothing to deserve it.
When God's hand is on thy back, let thy hand be on thy mouth, for though the affliction be sharp it shall be but short.
Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.
Take responsibility for your last bad decision, and then let it go. Don't blame others or make excuses for yourself.
The mind is responsible for the feelings of pleasure and pain. Control of the mind is the highest Yoga.
So, how do you get back to heaven? _x000D_ To begin with, just notice the thoughts that take you away from it. _x000D_ You don't have to believe everything your thoughts tell you. _x000D_ Just become familiar with the particular thoughts you use _x000D_ to deprive yourself of happiness. _x000D_ It may seem strange at first to get to know yourself in this way, _x000D_ but becoming familiar with your stressful thoughts _x000D_ will show you the way home to everything you need.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.