This is the 3rd in the Lenten series, “Hearing that Still, Small Voice (of God) and Finding Your Own. In this text we focus on Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane and his struggle to discern the will of God as he listens for God’s voice.
SOME VOICES WITHIN
Based on a compilation by Rev. Bruce Van Blair
There are only nine here, but you no doubt have others:
THE PARENT (conscience) Stern disciplinarian; you should be more compassionate and considerate of others. Jiminy Cricket – Let your conscience be your guide (sorry, but I believe in God)
THE FREE-CHILD (creative, but not very responsible or realistic)
THE PEER GROUP (popularity) Co-workers – friends – best friend – spouse – children – respected sibling
THE PRAGMATIST (security – survival – here and now) Practical, worldly-success advisor. Logic – common sense – As far as I can see . . . (How far is that?) Boss – lawyer – financial planner – business associate
THE PESSIMIST (shadow – life negator – destroyer) Accuser – guilt producer. You’re no good – nothing works, or lasts – it isn’t worth it
THE HERO (idealist) Who are your heroes?
THE ACCUSER (The Ventriloquist – The Liar – The Short-Cut Artist) The accuser can imitate the wording, but not the tone, of the Spirit’s voice – that is, patience and affirmation. The accuser cannot mimic the Holy Spirit very long – cannot be calm, quiet, with your deepest spiritual self-interest at heart, getting you in tune with God. If the accuser pulls that off very well – he’s working against himself. Best not to get too stuck or too fascinated thinking about the accuser; Do not fear accusations – fear God! The fear of accusations is the beginning of all foolishness. Show a little disrespect.
THE HOLY SPIRIT God’s appeal is deep and clean and good – hard maybe, but beautiful. It is calm – reassuring – no guilt or fear that is not situation reasonable. Who do you most want to please? Who is your audience?
9) THE TRUE SELF (identity of what you will become – A Higher Mind) Soul – will You are born with more than you realize (wisdom – archetypes – identity – purpose) But you have to find it – call it forth Education for techniques and information – Prayer/meditation for wisdom and truth.
Our object is to get the True Self (higher mind – will – soul) into the chairperson’s seat – and keep it there. You cannot control the Holy Spirit, or decide when or what the Spirit will communicate. The Soul within will listen and respond – with much comment from the other voices at times. But if you put your True Self in charge, and get to know, appreciate and respect the other voices, and listen to them but not let them control or bully you, that is what you can do. The rest is up to the Spirit.