I was notified that I hadn't updated my church blog in a while, and I might add by one of the least likely readers. Although, I'm glad it's been useful, or as he put it...interesting. And if he is reading this, thanks!
I'd say the biggest reason why I do not blog as much anymore is lack of time. I originally aimed for once a week, but that has turned a little more like once a month now. It's not that I'm not full of extremely intelligent, articulate witty things to say (we all KNOW that to be true), it's that I haven't made the time to do it.
So what's the difference in making time and having time?
1) We all have time for whatever. God gave it to us. There is exactly enough time in the day for what we need to do.
2) Making time refers to you creating. Creating is the image of God. What you choose to make of your day is your gift to God. Having time is almost recognizing the time as an entitlement instead of God's gift.
I think many of us could give good excuses for not doing things such as blogging, cooking more, exercising...worship?...and other things of note (ok...not so much blogging), but in reality I could blog every day if I were more disciplined. And no, I'm not asking someone to come beat me or put me in time out when I don't blog.
Discipline means ordered, committed. If I am disciplined in my life, I will make the time for what is important rather than listening to my latest whims. Trust me, I'm not the most disciplined person in the world...far from it...but if I didn't have any discipline I would have a closet full of ipods, ipads, imacs, tv's, video games and all of the other latest and greatest that I can't live without.
As it turns out...I only have two of those things. Because I know if I had them I'd never communicate face to face with anyone. I know they would suck me in. Doesn't mean I don't want them...just means I don't need them.
What in your day do you need and what do you need to let go of? You are the maker of your day with God giving you the time to do so. What important aspects of life are you missing out on by feeling like you don't have enough time.
You have enough time. It all depends upon your priorities.
Friday, May 28, 2010
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Wait, Is that a Christian?
Reading through Acts in preparation for the sermon this week I stumbled upon a passage that I hadn't noticed before. Acts 2:7 comes after the Holy Spirit has swept through the room and the crowd has started speaking in many different languages, and a great crowd has gathered to hear what the thunderclap and light show was all about. But an interesting comment is made by the awed crowd, "Aren't these all Galileans?"
In essence..."they shouldn't be talking to me" or "why can I suddenly relate to them?"
Beforehand the disciples had selected leaders and community members from amongst those they trusted and who had been around the whole time with Jesus, but all of a sudden God has given the ability to speak to anyone and everyone in a way they can relate to. (And to think people thought they were just drunk)
I really wish there were people who were stopped in astonishment anywhere in the world and said, "Wait...aren't those Christians?" I would love to hear of more surprising, shocking acts of love, proclamation and mercy, and even acts of holiness and piety in everyday life that would stop people in their tracks and wonder if those are the same Christians who meet in the building down the street and self perpetuate themselves.
I remember in high school watching one of my friends drink a Coke (with full caffeine) and having another one of our friends comment, "Aren't you Mormon?" And another time in college while hanging out with a Muslim friend who uttered a certain four letter word, only to have a Christian (who regularly used those words) comment, "aren't you a Muslim?" out of astonishment. Wouldn't it be great if people were surprised by our behavior, our message and our acts of love, instead of Christians simply blending in to cultural norms? I'd love to be seen as bizarre in this world. I think I'd have good company in scripture and Christian history. What's the quote, "well-behaved women rarely get remembered." I think culturally conditioned Christians rarely get remembered.
In essence..."they shouldn't be talking to me" or "why can I suddenly relate to them?"
Beforehand the disciples had selected leaders and community members from amongst those they trusted and who had been around the whole time with Jesus, but all of a sudden God has given the ability to speak to anyone and everyone in a way they can relate to. (And to think people thought they were just drunk)
I really wish there were people who were stopped in astonishment anywhere in the world and said, "Wait...aren't those Christians?" I would love to hear of more surprising, shocking acts of love, proclamation and mercy, and even acts of holiness and piety in everyday life that would stop people in their tracks and wonder if those are the same Christians who meet in the building down the street and self perpetuate themselves.
I remember in high school watching one of my friends drink a Coke (with full caffeine) and having another one of our friends comment, "Aren't you Mormon?" And another time in college while hanging out with a Muslim friend who uttered a certain four letter word, only to have a Christian (who regularly used those words) comment, "aren't you a Muslim?" out of astonishment. Wouldn't it be great if people were surprised by our behavior, our message and our acts of love, instead of Christians simply blending in to cultural norms? I'd love to be seen as bizarre in this world. I think I'd have good company in scripture and Christian history. What's the quote, "well-behaved women rarely get remembered." I think culturally conditioned Christians rarely get remembered.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
