“Only the disciplined are free.” ~James C. Penny
So why are the rest in bondage? Because the rest ‘enjoy their agency by wasting it’ …on a direction that limits life’s opportunities and personal growth. Take any addictive behavior from endless hours of TV or music to substance abuse to always choosing self centered interests. There is no expansion / growth of the soul, but only stagnation. With that stagnation comes lack of desire and then lack of ability to ‘upwardly’ change. (see also John 8:31,32,34)
Those who lose their self-centered behaviors through discipline to serve and bless others are happiest… because the Lord makes sure they receive a generous portion of ‘peace of mind’, whether or not they believe He exists. ‘Ye lift me, and me lift thee, and we’ll both ascend together’ is a principle that will never be ‘old fashioned’ – to Jesus Christ. Amongst humanity’s most noble and gifted are those who have mastered selflessness; including Mother Teresa, Prophets ancient and modern and a multitude of those who live to be as Jesus Christ – in watching out for the less fortunate; the sick, the downtrodden, the unaccepted by the ‘status quo’. kdm
