Today's passage concludes the first week of moving toward God's purpose for our lives. It reminds us that everything is for God's glory and should be treated as such. From waking up in the morning to the sun setting at night, it's all for Him. As mentioned in previous posts, it seems so easy to see God in the big or happy things - winning the lottery, getting a promotion, finding the love of your life. It's not so easy when you're faced with struggle or just living the day-to-day drama that life can be. For example, I know it's hard to see the glory of God when someone is doing me wrong.
Today's question asks us to think about where we can become more aware of God's glory in our daily routine. The place that comes to mind for me is in my children's chatter right after I come home from work. I am an only child and though I can be outgoing, I crave quiet, especially in the transition times. Most days, rather than getting 5 or 10 minutes to come in the house, lay down my things and relax, I'm inundated with the dog jumping and the kids' non-stop talking. Most days I appreciate it, but other times I just want my peace and quiet. Instead of thinking that way, I can see how blessed I am to not only have children but to have children who want me to be an active part of their lives.
How has God's glory manifested itself in your life, and how can you be more aware?
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Monday, October 5, 2009
Day 6: Life is a Temporary Assignment
We've touched on the topic of Day 6 in previous chapters, but it really comes to life here. The key verse is, "So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." 2 Corinthians 4:18 (NIV). It reminds us that this life is not the end of the road. Instead, God has something much better in heaven.
This verse looks so simple when written down (like the common sense it is), but feels so hard in practice. That's why this day's question asks us to think about how we should change the way we're living since we know that life on earth is a temporary assignment. For me, I can reuse an answer from a previous day's question - I can stop putting so much stock into what others think about me. It is a dangerous road to travel and can lead you far away from God's purpose. In my case, it was like "keeping up with the Jones'" but not in the material weath sense. I didn't care if my neighbors had a new car, but I would take notice if I was left off a meeting invite at work. I would be happy if a friend got a cute new outfit (even if I hadn't been shopping in months), but I'd even wonder what other drivers thought as they passed me on the highway (maybe they thought I was too slow or couldn't drive). These are things that in the grand scheme of life do not matter one bit. Yet, I would think about them. Keeping the Christian lens focused on heaven should tell me to ignore these wordly situations, focus on the God, focus on heaven, and keep it moving.
What about you? How are you going to change your perspective?
This verse looks so simple when written down (like the common sense it is), but feels so hard in practice. That's why this day's question asks us to think about how we should change the way we're living since we know that life on earth is a temporary assignment. For me, I can reuse an answer from a previous day's question - I can stop putting so much stock into what others think about me. It is a dangerous road to travel and can lead you far away from God's purpose. In my case, it was like "keeping up with the Jones'" but not in the material weath sense. I didn't care if my neighbors had a new car, but I would take notice if I was left off a meeting invite at work. I would be happy if a friend got a cute new outfit (even if I hadn't been shopping in months), but I'd even wonder what other drivers thought as they passed me on the highway (maybe they thought I was too slow or couldn't drive). These are things that in the grand scheme of life do not matter one bit. Yet, I would think about them. Keeping the Christian lens focused on heaven should tell me to ignore these wordly situations, focus on the God, focus on heaven, and keep it moving.
What about you? How are you going to change your perspective?
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Day 5: Seeing Life through God's View
We're almost a week into our journey to purpose, using "The Purpose Driven Life" by Rick Warren as a guide. I hope you've been learning some new things about yourself and are growing closer to God.
Day 5 introduces the idea that life is both a test and a trust. We are continually tested from the way the we react to a friend who just lost his job to the way you treat the waitress who still hasn't brought you the Diet Coke you asked for 10 minutes ago. As Christians, it's up to us guard our reactions when life gets tough. It's in these moments that God teaches us about ourselves and opens us up to receive even more of His blessings.
God's entrusts us with many things during our earthly life - relationships, children, houses, clothes, money, etc. We are called to be good stewards over these things, but that doesn't always happen. Have there been times when you yelled at someone over something small just because YOU were having bad day or spent your last $75 on a cute pair of shoes knowing you should've used part of it for gas money instead? God gave us things so that we could take care of them and perhaps use them to help Him blessing another person...not to be mistreated, hoarded, or used irresponsibly.
Today's question asks you to consider two things:
1. What's recently happened in your life that you now realize was a test from God?
2. What are the greatest matters God entrusted to you?
I can name a couple of situations in my life that feel like tests from God. One is definitely my struggle in corporate America. I realize that if I hadn't gone through that situation and really listened to God's voice, I would not be working toward my purpose at all. In fact, this blog wouldn't exist either. :-) A few people have read that story and expressed how much it helped them take a look at their lives and their next moves. It's amazing to hear how God turned tragedy into good. Another situation is driving. I'm usually a very patient person. I try my best not to give in to road rage, but it's hard not to get annoyed when there are 20 minute construction delays, people cutting you off on the highway only to slow to 50mph once they get in front of you, or red lights stopping you almost every block. In those instances, I try really hard to be patient and to thank God for whatever He's helping me avoid by putting these roadblocks in my way. I've seen more than a handful of accidents on my direct route and wonder if it would've been me had I not gotten stopped by 3 red lights in a row or if my children didn't have to give me one more hug even though I was running late to work. It can be difficult, but I try to be grateful for the tests I recognize...even if it means letting that car pass me rather than speeding up and blocking them in. :-)
With the second question, the first thing that comes to my mind are my children. God has given me a great responsibility to teach them and mold them so that they are believers in Jesus. With so many outside influences in the world, that is a huge task, and I feel blessed that God chose me to do it. I've also been blessed by some material things. I was just complaining earlier today as I cleaned up a room that seems to magically reappear as dirty within 24 hours. There were so many other things I'd rather do than clean, but then I realized how great it is to even have a house. With so many families losing their homes or with the economy making it hard for some people to buy a home, I'm grateful to have a dirty room of my own to clean. I do, however, think it's almost time to be a blessing to someone else by offering them a job as a maid a couple times a month.
Day 5 introduces the idea that life is both a test and a trust. We are continually tested from the way the we react to a friend who just lost his job to the way you treat the waitress who still hasn't brought you the Diet Coke you asked for 10 minutes ago. As Christians, it's up to us guard our reactions when life gets tough. It's in these moments that God teaches us about ourselves and opens us up to receive even more of His blessings.
God's entrusts us with many things during our earthly life - relationships, children, houses, clothes, money, etc. We are called to be good stewards over these things, but that doesn't always happen. Have there been times when you yelled at someone over something small just because YOU were having bad day or spent your last $75 on a cute pair of shoes knowing you should've used part of it for gas money instead? God gave us things so that we could take care of them and perhaps use them to help Him blessing another person...not to be mistreated, hoarded, or used irresponsibly.
Today's question asks you to consider two things:
1. What's recently happened in your life that you now realize was a test from God?
2. What are the greatest matters God entrusted to you?
I can name a couple of situations in my life that feel like tests from God. One is definitely my struggle in corporate America. I realize that if I hadn't gone through that situation and really listened to God's voice, I would not be working toward my purpose at all. In fact, this blog wouldn't exist either. :-) A few people have read that story and expressed how much it helped them take a look at their lives and their next moves. It's amazing to hear how God turned tragedy into good. Another situation is driving. I'm usually a very patient person. I try my best not to give in to road rage, but it's hard not to get annoyed when there are 20 minute construction delays, people cutting you off on the highway only to slow to 50mph once they get in front of you, or red lights stopping you almost every block. In those instances, I try really hard to be patient and to thank God for whatever He's helping me avoid by putting these roadblocks in my way. I've seen more than a handful of accidents on my direct route and wonder if it would've been me had I not gotten stopped by 3 red lights in a row or if my children didn't have to give me one more hug even though I was running late to work. It can be difficult, but I try to be grateful for the tests I recognize...even if it means letting that car pass me rather than speeding up and blocking them in. :-)
With the second question, the first thing that comes to my mind are my children. God has given me a great responsibility to teach them and mold them so that they are believers in Jesus. With so many outside influences in the world, that is a huge task, and I feel blessed that God chose me to do it. I've also been blessed by some material things. I was just complaining earlier today as I cleaned up a room that seems to magically reappear as dirty within 24 hours. There were so many other things I'd rather do than clean, but then I realized how great it is to even have a house. With so many families losing their homes or with the economy making it hard for some people to buy a home, I'm grateful to have a dirty room of my own to clean. I do, however, think it's almost time to be a blessing to someone else by offering them a job as a maid a couple times a month.
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Day 4: Made to Last Forever
In "Made to Last Forever," Warren reminds us that we've only been put on this Earth for a short time. This world is supposed to be used as preparation for the next and isn't the end. I've been guilty of getting so caught up in the day-to-day drama of life and forgetting that our time on earth is temporary. When you look at life through that lens, it helps you focus on what's really important and ignore the rest.
Today's question asks you to think about what you'd do differently now that you remember life on this Earth is temporary. Hmmm...
One thing I'll stop:
- Being so concerned about what others think of me. I was put on this Earth to please God and live for Him. Trusting that God has a plan for me even in the roughest times should be enough to calm any fears or negative thoughts.
One thing I'll start:
- Slowing down. There's always so much to do that I often find myself running all day. I go from work to home to family activities and then do it all over again. That leaves little time to sit, think, pray, or relax. Even when I would make time for those things, I'd be multi-tasking. By remembering that things here are temporary, I can slow down and focus on what's truly important. One thing at a time (or two...and only if I have to) is enough.
Are there any things in your life that need to start or stop? Please share.
Today's question asks you to think about what you'd do differently now that you remember life on this Earth is temporary. Hmmm...
One thing I'll stop:
- Being so concerned about what others think of me. I was put on this Earth to please God and live for Him. Trusting that God has a plan for me even in the roughest times should be enough to calm any fears or negative thoughts.
One thing I'll start:
- Slowing down. There's always so much to do that I often find myself running all day. I go from work to home to family activities and then do it all over again. That leaves little time to sit, think, pray, or relax. Even when I would make time for those things, I'd be multi-tasking. By remembering that things here are temporary, I can slow down and focus on what's truly important. One thing at a time (or two...and only if I have to) is enough.
Are there any things in your life that need to start or stop? Please share.
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