Day 10: What areas in my life am I holding back from God?
This chapter is a follow up to chapter 9. I did not need much time to consider my answer to this question. It is basically the same as my answer to yesterday’s question. To be quite honest, I’m not sure if there is anything in my life that I don’t hold back from God. Do I believe, yes, do I trust….that’s another story. It’s not that I don’t know God only wants what is best for me , the issue is knowing what I’m supposed to do. Day 10 gives the answer as to why people hold back or rather refuse to surrender to God. The 3 reasons are fear, pride, and confusion.
I have always been the type of person that needs to know things ahead of time…of course so that I can control my surroundings. If I don’t know what’s going on I become anxious. This goes along with my refusal to surrender. I don’t know what God wants from me and therefore I often rely on myself because I know myself and feel that I know what’s best for me. I should know by now that my Creator knows me better than I know myself, He knew me before I even existed.
The fact is I can’t know everything, I’m not God. If I trust Him, and I’ll be better off. I need to learn to let go and stop trying to control my surroundings. This however is easier said than done. I think it’s because I still don’t know enough about God and haven’t studied enough. Once I have done that I will able to accept my limitations and finally be able to let go.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Day 9 Trust
Day 9 :
What areas in my life should I trust God with?
Obviously all areas. Do I however, no. That's part of why I'm reading this book. Some people are able to hear God clearly, I don't even hear a whisper. Maybe they are closer to Him, maybe He hasn't spoken to me yet, or maybe I just can't hear Him. What I've tried to do is read and follow my conscious. Often times I compromise my relationship with God and do what I want to do instead of doing what I know is right. These are things that I struggle with on a daily basis. Its difficult to follow God when the rest of the world says otherwise. The reason sin is so tempting is because its fun and sometimes a quick way out of a situation; if it wasn't we wouldn't all do it. I just have to remember to trust God in all things, even when my way seems easier. These sins have consequences and at some point you have to pay for them. As my mother always used to say, what sweetens you now will sour you later.
What areas in my life should I trust God with?
Obviously all areas. Do I however, no. That's part of why I'm reading this book. Some people are able to hear God clearly, I don't even hear a whisper. Maybe they are closer to Him, maybe He hasn't spoken to me yet, or maybe I just can't hear Him. What I've tried to do is read and follow my conscious. Often times I compromise my relationship with God and do what I want to do instead of doing what I know is right. These are things that I struggle with on a daily basis. Its difficult to follow God when the rest of the world says otherwise. The reason sin is so tempting is because its fun and sometimes a quick way out of a situation; if it wasn't we wouldn't all do it. I just have to remember to trust God in all things, even when my way seems easier. These sins have consequences and at some point you have to pay for them. As my mother always used to say, what sweetens you now will sour you later.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Day 8 Worship
Day 8 discusses doing things for God’s pleasure. Anything that gives glory to God is called worship. This can be anything you do, from singing to dancing, to working on a project, if it’s done for God, its worship.
It seems that the last few questions at the end of the chapter are a bit…simple. I mean they don’t really require any deep thought which results in pretty superficial writing. Day 8’s question asks what common tasks could I do for Jesus. There are some things I do in honor of God, for one I volunteer. I find that doing for others is part of fellowship with people as well as helping those in need. The feeling I get from doing this work is only secondary and not the main purpose for volunteering.
These latest blog entries are my other form of worship. I am reading The Purpose Driven Life and writing about it to figure out exactly what I’m supposed to do for Him and grow closer.
On a side note, in this world, anything that isn’t sex, drugs or mania is sometimes considered corny, cheesy, square, whatever word you care to use. In all honestly I’m a bit shy about posting all this religious stuff, but I suppose that’s what this is all about. Maybe this is the purpose of this blog after all.
It seems that the last few questions at the end of the chapter are a bit…simple. I mean they don’t really require any deep thought which results in pretty superficial writing. Day 8’s question asks what common tasks could I do for Jesus. There are some things I do in honor of God, for one I volunteer. I find that doing for others is part of fellowship with people as well as helping those in need. The feeling I get from doing this work is only secondary and not the main purpose for volunteering.
These latest blog entries are my other form of worship. I am reading The Purpose Driven Life and writing about it to figure out exactly what I’m supposed to do for Him and grow closer.
On a side note, in this world, anything that isn’t sex, drugs or mania is sometimes considered corny, cheesy, square, whatever word you care to use. In all honestly I’m a bit shy about posting all this religious stuff, but I suppose that’s what this is all about. Maybe this is the purpose of this blog after all.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
The Reason for Everything
The last chapter of this section is about giving glory to God. The question of this chapter is how I can make time in my day to recognize God's glory. This is simple. God is everywhere. Simply look at nature, wheter out in the woods or just looking out the window, I'm able to recognize His presence. He did create it all.
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Life is a Temporary Assignment
Chapter 6 discusses how time on this Earth is fleeting in comparison to life in eternity. I t goes on to say that because life on Earth is a small portion of our lives, we shouldn’t be worried about the material things in this life. It says that we shouldn’t be focused on fancy cars or obsessed with one day obtaining $500 name brand shoes. In the end none of this matters. What does matter is what we do while on this earth, because that affects how our lives will be in eternity.
This is another hard chapter for me to come to terms with; however I am beginning to understand more and more. While I have never wanted to be rich and famous, I have always tried to do my best and hope that I can be a success and make an impact on the world… in a good way. I wanted to leave some kind of legacy. Since we are not to be concerned of the things of the world, and will not be here for long, does this mean that we shouldn’t strive to be as successful as possible? This is my confusion with this chapter. I’m not sure that this is what is meant by this but I could be wrong. I think maybe God wants us to strive to be the best, doctor, attorney, businessperson, etc that we possibly can be, but not focus our whole lives on it, and not be obsessed with it. In the end it doesn’t matter how many mansions you owned or how much your wardrobe costs, but how you lived your life on this earth while you had the chance. I think this chapter tells people that we should be more well rounded; love God, love life and make the best of this world while we’re in it, live in the world, use it for what you can but don’t be of the world.
This is another hard chapter for me to come to terms with; however I am beginning to understand more and more. While I have never wanted to be rich and famous, I have always tried to do my best and hope that I can be a success and make an impact on the world… in a good way. I wanted to leave some kind of legacy. Since we are not to be concerned of the things of the world, and will not be here for long, does this mean that we shouldn’t strive to be as successful as possible? This is my confusion with this chapter. I’m not sure that this is what is meant by this but I could be wrong. I think maybe God wants us to strive to be the best, doctor, attorney, businessperson, etc that we possibly can be, but not focus our whole lives on it, and not be obsessed with it. In the end it doesn’t matter how many mansions you owned or how much your wardrobe costs, but how you lived your life on this earth while you had the chance. I think this chapter tells people that we should be more well rounded; love God, love life and make the best of this world while we’re in it, live in the world, use it for what you can but don’t be of the world.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Day 5 Questions
Day 5 Questions
I realize that I’m quite late with reading and writing about Day 5, but it’s only because I am still having a hard time grasping Day 4. Day 5 asks us to question the way we see life. Some see life as a rollercoaster, some as a battle and some as a test. When looking at it through God’s point of view, life is a test and a trust. Life is a test because every struggle and even every gift that we are given is a test. Some people forget God when all is well and turn to him in times of need. Others like myself, tend to give up on God when things go wrong. Everything in life is a test.
Everything in life is also based on trust. Everything we are given we are trusted with to take care, this goes for money, our bodies, etc. Maybe this is why I have not accomplished everything I expected to. Maybe I somehow am still being prepared for what is yet to come.
If all this is true my biggest test in life has been my current job. Everyday I struggle not to lose my cool. I am being tested on how much patience I can have for the idiots I work with and idiots in general. I am learning the art of patience and tolerance. I am learning that although people may not appreciate my work or accomplishments, I have to appreciate them.
As for what God has entrusted to me? I have no idea. Yes my body is a temple and I should take care of it, but what has been specifically entrusted to me? Maybe it’s my writing. I hope I’ll know when I’m done with this book.
I realize that I’m quite late with reading and writing about Day 5, but it’s only because I am still having a hard time grasping Day 4. Day 5 asks us to question the way we see life. Some see life as a rollercoaster, some as a battle and some as a test. When looking at it through God’s point of view, life is a test and a trust. Life is a test because every struggle and even every gift that we are given is a test. Some people forget God when all is well and turn to him in times of need. Others like myself, tend to give up on God when things go wrong. Everything in life is a test.
Everything in life is also based on trust. Everything we are given we are trusted with to take care, this goes for money, our bodies, etc. Maybe this is why I have not accomplished everything I expected to. Maybe I somehow am still being prepared for what is yet to come.
If all this is true my biggest test in life has been my current job. Everyday I struggle not to lose my cool. I am being tested on how much patience I can have for the idiots I work with and idiots in general. I am learning the art of patience and tolerance. I am learning that although people may not appreciate my work or accomplishments, I have to appreciate them.
As for what God has entrusted to me? I have no idea. Yes my body is a temple and I should take care of it, but what has been specifically entrusted to me? Maybe it’s my writing. I hope I’ll know when I’m done with this book.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Day 4
Not much to say about day 4. It asks us to think about our mortality, that this life is not the end and that there is an eternity. Day 4 says that we shouldn’t be afraid of death because there is a hereafter. Although I believe it I can’t wrap my mind around it. The end of the chapters asks the reader to think about what they need to stop doing, and what they may need to start, now that he/she understands that what we do now we pay for in the hereafter, for better or worse. I’ve figured out what I need to do and what I should stop; it’s going to be a hard task to accomplish. I’m not going to go into what these things are. They are things that everyone struggles with. It’s going to be difficult to change habits I’ve had for as long as I’ve been on this earth but I’m up for the challenge.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Day 3 Driven
The third day of this 40 day journey asks us to question what our lives are driven by. Some are driven by money and possessions, some by guilt, some from the need for approval, far or anger and resentment. All of which are negative. As usual the chapter ends with a reflection question, what would others say my life is driven by and what do I want it to be? The answer to this question came to me very easily. My life has been driven by 2 things, my own high expectations and spite.
The fact that my life has been driven by my own expectations is obvious. I have a plan and goals for my life, therefore I work towards those goals, regardless of how far fetched they may be. This is for my own personal satisfaction. However being driven by spite is another story. When I say that I’m driven by spite, I don’t mean that I do things just to hurt people. When someone tells me I can’t do something, I do it in spite of them. I am no longer solely driven by my goals but by negative reactions to those goals.
In the beginning of my senior year of high school, it was time to apply to colleges. Prior to doing so, all students are required to go to guidance counselors to discuss their decisions. When I told my guidance counselor, that a certain school was one of my options, he told me that I would never get in. I applied anyway. I not only got in, but went to that college graduated, and was accepted into grad school. A week after I graduated from college, I went back to that guidance counselor and threw my degree in his face. While he did not remember telling me this, he said he was glad I came back to prove him wrong.
Fact is some people are motivated when they’re praised and falter when they negativity comes their way. I use negative reactions as motivation. The problem with this tactic is that sometimes it becomes more about proving the other person wrong than about achieving your goal in the first place. Being driven by goals is perfectly normal, I just need to remind myself that in the end its not about the other person, its about what I planned to accomplish and making sure it gets done for myself.
While I’m not sure what my purpose is yet I know it will not revolve around other people, their reactions or even my own wants but what God has decided for me. Until then……..
The fact that my life has been driven by my own expectations is obvious. I have a plan and goals for my life, therefore I work towards those goals, regardless of how far fetched they may be. This is for my own personal satisfaction. However being driven by spite is another story. When I say that I’m driven by spite, I don’t mean that I do things just to hurt people. When someone tells me I can’t do something, I do it in spite of them. I am no longer solely driven by my goals but by negative reactions to those goals.
In the beginning of my senior year of high school, it was time to apply to colleges. Prior to doing so, all students are required to go to guidance counselors to discuss their decisions. When I told my guidance counselor, that a certain school was one of my options, he told me that I would never get in. I applied anyway. I not only got in, but went to that college graduated, and was accepted into grad school. A week after I graduated from college, I went back to that guidance counselor and threw my degree in his face. While he did not remember telling me this, he said he was glad I came back to prove him wrong.
Fact is some people are motivated when they’re praised and falter when they negativity comes their way. I use negative reactions as motivation. The problem with this tactic is that sometimes it becomes more about proving the other person wrong than about achieving your goal in the first place. Being driven by goals is perfectly normal, I just need to remind myself that in the end its not about the other person, its about what I planned to accomplish and making sure it gets done for myself.
While I’m not sure what my purpose is yet I know it will not revolve around other people, their reactions or even my own wants but what God has decided for me. Until then……..
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