374: [Formed.] Jamie Winship on Why Separation Creates Suffering, The Necessary Practice of Self-Emptying, and a Right View of God
Jan 24, 2024
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Jamie Winship, expert on separation, self-emptying, and developing a right view of God, discusses the suffering caused by separation, the practice of self-emptying according to Jesus's teaching, and the concept of closed-handed anxiety. The podcast also explores the importance of having a right view of God, the significance of the beatitudes rooted in connection and trust, and the practice of self-emptying during prayer for joyful relationship and connectedness in community. Additionally, the concept of being makers and maintainers of peace is discussed, highlighting the importance of believing in peace and making sacrifices for it. The chapter concludes by encouraging reflection and emptying oneself to be filled with their true identity and God's calling.
Emptying oneself is crucial to receive all that God has for us and to have a right view of God.
Blessed are those who mourn for brokenness in ourselves and in the world, and by aligning with God's heart, we can be agents of healing and restoration.
The Beatitudes call us to hunger and thirst for righteousness, shifting from self-centeredness to other-centeredness and actively working towards peace and transformation in our communities.
Deep dives
Emptying oneself and pursuing a right view of God
Emptying oneself is crucial in order to receive all that God has for us and to have a right view of God. This involves letting go of self-centeredness, fear, and self-protection. By emptying ourselves, we can open up to receive God's invitation and direction for our lives. It allows us to direct our passions and focus towards what God has made us sad about, both in ourselves and in the world. This process of self-emptying and developing a right view of God enables us to walk in the way of surrender and trust in God.
Mourning for the right things
Blessed are those who mourn. This means being sad about the right things, such as brokenness in ourselves and in the world. It involves facing pain and allowing ourselves to be moved with compassion and empathy towards the suffering of others. By mourning for the things that align with God's heart, we can experience comfort and take steps towards being agents of healing and restoration.
Directing passions and hungering for righteousness
The Beatitudes call us to direct our passions towards what is right and to hunger and thirst for righteousness. This means aligning ourselves with God's values and seeking to bring about justice and goodness in the world. It requires a shift from self-centeredness to other-centeredness, from seeking personal success to seeking the well-being of others. By hungering for what is right, we become active participants in God's kingdom, working to bring about peace and transformation in our communities.
Maintaining purity of heart and seeking peace
Purity of heart involves having a single-minded focus on God and His ways. It means being free from the distractions and impurities that hinder our relationship with God. By maintaining purity of heart, we can continually seek God's presence and experience His guidance and peace. This purity of heart leads to a desire for peace and a commitment to being peacemakers in our relationships and communities. It involves letting go of self-protection and promoting reconciliation and harmony.
Radical love and willingness to sacrifice
The ultimate expression of living out the Beatitudes is radical love and the willingness to sacrifice. It means loving even our enemies and being willing to lay down our lives for the sake of peace and the kingdom of God. This kind of love goes beyond fear and self-interest and seeks the well-being of others. It requires us to let go of the idea that death or loss is a failure and embrace the power of sacrificial love. By embodying radical love, we become true disciples of Jesus, bringing transformation and reconciliation wherever we go.
It's week four of [Formed.], and one of our favorite people is back on the podcast: Jamie Winship. This week, Jamie talks to us about why separation creates suffering, the necessary practice of self-emptying according to Jesus's teaching in Matthew 5, how to develop a right view of God, and a brilliant concept called "closed-handed anxiety." As usual, it's a fascinating conversation, so prepare for some note-taking. And of course, if you missed the first three weeks of [Formed.], go back and catch those episodes on your podcast feed or YouTube.