"Just as man had no choice to exist, so too, he has no choice to not exist. It is all up to God. Even those who think they would be willing to give up their identity, have no choice in this matter anyway. It is because Jesus knew this, all he could say was “Not my will, but Thine be done”.
"Anyone whose goal is to lose his self-identity (person) or who thinks he can get rid of his “self”, is totally mistaken – that self can get rid of self is a logical contradiction. There is probably no greater fear man can have than loss of his self-identity – end up with no awareness of himself at all. This is because there is no greater sense of self-security than self-awareness, without it, man cannot imagine his own existence. In many respects, self-awareness, one’s own identity, locks man in himself, which is why God is the only one that can ever get him out of himself – unlock this door so to speak."
The Real Christ, page 283
(“Even those who think they would be willing to give up their identity, have no choice in the matter anyway. It is because Jesus knew this, all he could say was ‘Not my will, but Thine be done’.” Formerly, when I read of Jesus saying ‘Not my will, but Thine be done’, I had an idea of Jesus, out of great love for God, surrendering his will. But now, in the light of what Bernadette is saying here, I see this moment as, not an act of will on Jesus’ part but, an acknowledgment of the truth. The difference may seem subtle but it is important, and worth pointing out.)
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