Security?

I just finished reading a powerful little book, The Importance of Being Foolish, by Brennan Manning.  (See the review on the Books Read list on the left of the screen.) One of the lessons from the book is that Christians fail to live the life of Christ when we are pursuing "security, pleasure, or power."  Reflecting on my own life the past couple of months, I see that this pursuit is there and it is insidious. 

I realize that even though I have given up the "security" of salary, position, and comfort of the U.S., I still pursue security here.  I still want to be well liked.  I want control of my situation.  I want the security of a nice life here.  I want to be secure. 

This past Monday was a disastorous example of this.  I spent a long day dealing with one administrative task after another.  I was tired and frustrated.  I was not dealing with the issues with the desire to serve.  I wanted to be served.  I wanted things to be right so that I could do what I wanted to do.  I didn't like being the Director.  I thought about how easy it would be to go back to the comforts of home. 

And so, I was convicted of this pursuit.  I didn't desire the mind of Christ.  I didn't desire to live a selfless life.  I didn't love on those who came in my path.  So, the lesson for me was that just because I live here, doing what I do, doesn't mean that I don't need to be on the guard for pursuing "security, pleasure, and power."  I need to pursue the mind of Christ.