Dawn and Heather Read Together: Own Your Life (Chapter 2)

This post is late because I was afraid of the topic after I read the epigraph from Leonardo da Vinci:

You will never have a greater or lesser dominion than that over yourself … the height of a man’s success is gauged by his self-mastery; the depth of his failure by his self-abandonment … And this law is the expression of eternal justice. He who cannot establish dominion over himself will have no dominion over others.” (pg 15, italics mine)

So rather than mastering myself, I procrastinated. The irony is not lost on me.

Self-mastery has never been my favorite topic; I’d much rather rest in my self-will. I do so enjoy my own way rather than submitting to even self-imposed requirements.

Self-governance was a theme at the convention over the weekend. That we become truly free when we are disciplined enough to do the work that is before us.

It turns out Clarkson only talks about that at the end of the chapter and then only briefly. It probably would have been better for me to have it be longer.

If we want to be free; if we want to walk in the paths of righteousness; if we want to live peacefully, Clarkson tells us that self mastery is necessary.  I like the idea she gives that I am ‘stewarding my life.’ To do so wisely, means to follow Jesus’ call to self-discipline; to have a plan; and to rely on the Holy Spirit.

Can I learn to submit my will … to sit and read on my phone or the internet … to the need to study, fold laundry, clean, or play with my kids?  I want to do those right things, but sometimes it’s a lot easier not to.

You can read Heather’s take on Chapter 2 here.

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