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Prepared by Marie Ann Shea, TSM Chaplain
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Matthew's dominant spiritual attribute is WILL
Like most of the Disciples, Matthew—at one time called Levi—was a native of Galilee. A publican or tax-collector, and a money changer, Matthew was a well-educated and a wealthy man who had more worldly goods to give up than some of the other Disciples. He seems like unlikely material for a Disciple, but Jesus in his great wisdom, looked into the heart of a man called "Levi" and said: "Follow me"... and the man we know as "Matthew" arose, forsook all that he had and followed Jesus.
Matthew is noted for his interest and determination in proving Jesus to be the true "Messiah" promised by Old Testament prophets. A great debt of gratitude is owed to this Disciple, for it was Matthew who preserved the exact words of Jesus.
Although the spiritual attribute Matthew represents is WILL, the lesson we learn from him is that we are to surrender the human will to the Will of God, saying:
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"Not my will, but Thy Will be done" |
Question: Explain the difference between "willfulness" and "willingness" and the part willingness plays in our Spiritual growth?
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Psalms 143:10 |
Willingness vs. Willfulness
Searching for the meaning of the power of Will has brought to my mind an understanding and the wisdom to know and feel the difference between the expressions of willingness and willfulness.
Willingness is a non-resistant and an obedient attitude to the recognition
of God's Will and Guiding Power that always abides within us. Working within God's Law, and
by accepting His Will manifests joy, peace, and harmony in our life experiences. We have the
freedom to let go of the personal will of man or our sense desires, and letting God's Will
work in and through our relationships with each other, bringing forth the activity of the
Christ Spirit. Our understanding and the wisdom of the Christ Spirit expands and grows in
our conscious awareness, filling our hearts and minds with God's never-ending Love that He
has for us. Willingness of the mind is the illumination of the Holy Spirit springing forth
and filling our souls with a feeling of fulfillment and a quest to follow God's Desire to
love one another through forgiveness. This Light of Illumination brings the power of
Enthusiasm and the willingness to share the Truth that is being revealed to us.
Affirm:
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The opposite attitude of willingness is willfulness. In the process of spiritual growth of
the soul, mind, and body there are times when the understanding faculty becomes cloudy and
thinking isn't too clear. We could begin to slip into a state of obstinacy, or with an
attitude of stubbornness. When you deliberately follow your own convictions without reason
or with a closed mind, this activity of the mind is called willfulness.
Willfulness is the persistent action to obtain satisfaction for one's own bodily desires, without thinking of the consequences of one's acts. This lack of accepting self responsibility builds confusion and chaos into one's character and life experiences . Continual willful thought in this obstinate state of mind will bring unhappiness and negativity to one's personal plans. Leaving God's Consciousness out of life experiences could bring forth failure and defeat. Using the intellectual will to excess could cause one to be in bondage of ill health, or to remain a negative state of mind.
This negative force can be turned to a positive force or a willingness
attitude by using the remedy of daily relaxation, meditation and prayer. Open your mind to
the presence of God and affirm:
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You can read more about the action faculty of Will |
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