The Cycle of Civilization.

Clarence Manion, the Dean of Notre Dame Law School from 1941-52, boarded a plane sometime during the early 1950’s.  When the plane landed Dean Manion rose from his seat, shook hands with the man he’d been conversing with during the flight, thanked him, and handed him a slip of paper on which he had written these words:

Man begins his existence in bondage,

and rises from bondage through spiritual faith,

from spiritual faith to courage,

from courage to liberty,

from liberty to abundance,

from abundance to selfishness,

from selfishness to complacency,

from complacency to apathy,

from apathy to dependency,

from dependency back into bondage.

This is the Cycle of Civilization.  The rise of the cycle proceeds from the spiritual faith of a few, their belief and supreme confidence in Jesus Christ, the King of All Creation.  The power of their lives— on fire from the Spirit of Christ— infuses courage to a nation, a willingness to sacrifice all for liberty and freedom.  Freedom propels a nation to the summit of supreme abundance, to evangelism by life and lips, to the promotion of this Freedom in all its forms {physical, mental, emotional and spiritual} and for all its citizens equally, whatever their race, color, or creed— a nation blessed by God.  But with abundance comes a change.  Almighty Abba, the Source of All Blessing, is forgotten.  The downward cycle spirals through selfishness, complacency, apathy, dependency, and finally back to bondage.

The only hope to reach and remain at the pinnacle of human existence is an ever-growing trust in the Living Hope, the Lord of Glory, Jesus Christ.  To “love the LORD your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength” is the greatest endeavor of any human life— Matthew 22:34-30.  And it’s an endeavor which can only be entered by an Apprentice of the Master, by one who is willing to follow in His footsteps.  It is an appeal to those who would become full-grown Sons and Daughters, who refuse to remain in the infancy of their faith.  Who among us will answer the Call?

HJC	Ric Webb  |  Shepherd Heart’s Journey Community 9621 Tall Timber Blvd. |  Little Rock, AR 72204 t +1.501.455.0296
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