Page 117 - EMCAPP-Journal No. 23

(the object and subject of our inquiry), let alone in order to gain sound the-
rapeu�c or counselling skills, and to dare to suppose that we can appropria-
tely contribute to and properly assist other persons in their life’s journey.
(Psychology will do well to recognise that it has o�en arisen from – what
would have to be called -religious views that are secularist, humanis�c and
self-worshipping. To some minds, at least, these views beg too many ques�-
ons to be able to supplying sa�sfactory answers.)

And Andrey Lorgus’s paper does indeed allude to an even more rela�onal
context than simply the other humans in the person’s life, for work with the
self, for the development of the human person relevant to therapeu�c con-
cerns. He uses the word ‘calling’ (p.5) – an interes�ng word, which is sug-
ges�ve of something, even some authority, beyond the self.
A biblical text is also quoted, which, interes�ngly, requires special and spiri-
tual understanding for its interpreta�on.
And his ar�cle ends with nothing less than a few words, which point – as
clearly as the star of Bethlehem! – to the need of the self to recognise what
is required of and for a human life. For the human self can only really be
understood and known in rela�on to his or her Creator.
What a person does (or does not do) in life follows from this.
A human being is of necessity dependent upon the Creator, who has invited
him or her into rela�onship; having given all the needed solu�ons to the
obstacles to this; forgiveness and reconcilia�on through Christ, and a
change of heart to walk in newness of life, and offering this historically to all
and individually to each person he has made.
A beau�ful garment can be expertly made from the hands or according to
the pa�ern of an excellent Designer.
A problem can be readily solved by the one who both fully understands the
problem and also has the power to fix or solve it. And the loving desire to do
so.
So, although we might begin therapy with the self, all the ques�ons beg for
answers. Who am I? What does it all mean? What weight do I give to my
‘self’ and its desires? What is to be my direc�on and purpose? How can self-
realiza�on occur - or, does it ma�er? Is the quest for my self-realiza�on re-
ally the quest for fulfilment – of the design God has for me and my life under
His loving direc�on?
If so, it is to be found in rela�onship with God. And that is necessarily a
humble rela�onship, recognising that God is God, and I am not!
The irony is that fulfilment is a spin-off from our rela�onship with God as
God, not primarily from self, or other people, or other things as gods ins-
tead.

117
117