There are points to ponder and questions to answer every day so I decided instead of making notes in one of my many many journals I would document my progress on my neglected blog.
Although I do not expect to agree with everything Rick Warren teaches and the variety of versions of the bible he uses, I believe I have a deep enough knowledge of the Word of God to filter the good from the bad.
DAY 1
Point to Ponder: It's not about me.
Verse: "...all things were created by him, and for him." Colossians 1:16b
Question to Consider: In spite of all the advertising around me, how can I remind myself that life is really about living for God, not myself?
This chapter was very eye opening. One section of this chapter that blessed me and made me think was the following:
Many people try to use God for their own self-actualization, but that is a
reversal of nature and it's doomed to failure. You were made for God, not
vice versa, and life is about letting God use you for his purposes, not your
using him for your own purpose. "Obsession with self in these matters is a dead
end; attention to God leads us out into the open, into a spacious, free life."
Romans 8:6 Message Emphasis mine
Romans 8:6 in the KJV is much more powerful "For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace." The point is made, however, that I can not focus on myself if I am going to find my true purpose.
It is really difficult to keep myself spiritually minded. I find it hard to let go of certain areas of my life and let God rule. I have a feeling this journey will be very helpful to me.
On the question about reminding myself life isn't all about me, I have been thinking about the amount of things I focus on and the material things in life that derail my endeavors to be a better wife and woman of God.
Advertising suggests that you can buy happiness and health. The reality is that God allows us to steward the material things we have and the bodies we were given.
One area I find television influences me is with shows like "Clean House" and "Clean Sweep." They make it look so easy that when I try to declutter and give things away, I get frustrated with how long it takes and give up.
Hm, how can I fix that? I have the tools to make my life better. What does the Word say? "Let all things be done decently and in order" "Let all things be done in moderation" "I keep my body in subjection to my mind."
Practical application of these keys is where I struggle. Not even the application, it is the consistency of application where I struggle. What does the Word say? "Faithful in least, faithful in much" "Let all things be done in moderation" "I keep my body in subjection to my mind, and my mind in subjection to my spirit."
Well, I think that is enough pondering today. : )
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