The Art of Redirection:
As I listen to this letter, I reflect on my own heart and see that love is sometimes barely even present in my own heart. It resides on the outside ring in fantasy or intellect as I attempt to do noble things, sometimes not because I truly care but out of obligations or an attempt to please someone ,gain favor or build up my own selfish reputations. I relate this to a mission trip abroad , feed the poor , whom I do not even know all the while I hold contempt and bitterness in my heart for people who I do know. This is what Uncle Screwtape refers to as having malice for my neighbors and benevolence for the captured german soldiers. I also relate to the worry of imagined situations and wondering if I will be prepared for it. I used to sit at my desk in the Instrument shop at my last power plant job, just thinking about how unprepared I was and thinking “how could I possibly react to every imagined situation at the plant?”. This goes even further with my home life, marriage and most of all my spiritual walk in the ability to avoid sin or just falling into its trap once again. How do I let God transform my heart where I love those in my life that I have an immediate influence over, like my wife, sons and brothers and sister? I believe it is thru surrender and sacrifice, I let His will become mine, I become less self-centered and more God centered. I believe that the thoughts of malice should be replaced with forgiveness and love. This sounds easier said than done because I am at battle with my own foolish pride sometimes and a reaction to defend myself and protect myself emotionally by not becoming vulnerable. I believe that being able to recognize the subtle art of misdirection or redirection , I am better suited to stay the course and defend myself and seeks God’s strength against the attacks of the evil one. I pray that my heart will be full of virtue and love and that it will spill out onto those I know, don’t know and those who are hurting. I pray for compassion where there once was indifference and a cold heart, May God guide my heart and hands, may I be careful of the thoughts that enter my mind and resist the temptations of Satan and that of my own sinful flesh.
9/1/2016
Daniel Smith