There is a time for everything, a season for every activity under the Sun. Ecclesiastes 3:1
A Safe Place To Be
Sitting in church my mind finally settles after a week of worry and cares. They can’t find me here. The piano will play at its own pace and the congregation will sing their own tune and I will sit happy and at peace suspended somewhere in between. I can run at my own pace at last. It’s not that I lack faith so much as I forgot to practise it in the little daily tasks of life.
I forgot that God is interested in me and thought that I should only bother Him with things that were of a suitable scale. Now I look back over the week and realise that nothing that will ever happen in my life will be of a scale large enough and grand enough to merit God’s attention. It just doesn’t work that way.
His interest in me is real and personal and covers all of the things I might do and say. Burning the food was important because it showed my impatience and frustration, snapping at the telephone sales caller demonstrated that my Christianity didn’t stretch quite far enough and failing to show a stranger kindness showed just how selfish I can be when pushed for time.
Nothing big, nothing grand but all very telling. It’s been suggested that to know someone well enough to marry them you should live with them first. I disagree. Everything you need to know will come out in their reactions to the little, seemingly insignificant, frustrations of the day. Our values and characters show through in our unconscious responses. Do we get angry at those who slow us down in the supermarket or do we notice their age or confusion? Do we have to have things exactly as we want them always or are we able to compromise to please another? Do we think our time is too valuable to waste on certain people in our circle or those in need? Even if we pretend otherwise our real beliefs will shine through in our conversations, actions, attitudes and emotions.
It is time to reflect on the life of one who was too good to mix with us and who had very limited time and scarce resources. He didn’t have time to preen in front of the mirror or just the right clothes for each occasion. He didn’t insist on being served due to his importance and nor did he rush away from those who needed his time and help. He had more important things to do than getting his values confused would allow, for he had come to save us.
If you know the life goals, priorities and values of the one you love then watch to see how they play out in their actions and consider carefully their character. Life is too short to spend it wishing you could change someone else when it is hard enough to face the changes that you may need to make within yourself to ensure your own happiness.
Are your life goals, priorities and values aligned to heaven’s interests? Does your character reflect the character of Jesus? Do you really want to be happy in the here and now or are you willing to settle for occasional temporary excitement?
The solution as always is too simple to seem true.
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Matthew 6:33 (NIV)
Sitting in church my mind finally settles after a week of worry and cares. They can’t find me here. The piano will play at its own pace and the congregation will sing their own tune and I will sit happy and at peace suspended somewhere in between. I can run at my own pace at last. It’s not that I lack faith so much as I forgot to practise it in the little daily tasks of life.
I forgot that God is interested in me and thought that I should only bother Him with things that were of a suitable scale. Now I look back over the week and realise that nothing that will ever happen in my life will be of a scale large enough and grand enough to merit God’s attention. It just doesn’t work that way.
His interest in me is real and personal and covers all of the things I might do and say. Burning the food was important because it showed my impatience and frustration, snapping at the telephone sales caller demonstrated that my Christianity didn’t stretch quite far enough and failing to show a stranger kindness showed just how selfish I can be when pushed for time.
Nothing big, nothing grand but all very telling. It’s been suggested that to know someone well enough to marry them you should live with them first. I disagree. Everything you need to know will come out in their reactions to the little, seemingly insignificant, frustrations of the day. Our values and characters show through in our unconscious responses. Do we get angry at those who slow us down in the supermarket or do we notice their age or confusion? Do we have to have things exactly as we want them always or are we able to compromise to please another? Do we think our time is too valuable to waste on certain people in our circle or those in need? Even if we pretend otherwise our real beliefs will shine through in our conversations, actions, attitudes and emotions.
It is time to reflect on the life of one who was too good to mix with us and who had very limited time and scarce resources. He didn’t have time to preen in front of the mirror or just the right clothes for each occasion. He didn’t insist on being served due to his importance and nor did he rush away from those who needed his time and help. He had more important things to do than getting his values confused would allow, for he had come to save us.
If you know the life goals, priorities and values of the one you love then watch to see how they play out in their actions and consider carefully their character. Life is too short to spend it wishing you could change someone else when it is hard enough to face the changes that you may need to make within yourself to ensure your own happiness.
Are your life goals, priorities and values aligned to heaven’s interests? Does your character reflect the character of Jesus? Do you really want to be happy in the here and now or are you willing to settle for occasional temporary excitement?
The solution as always is too simple to seem true.
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Matthew 6:33 (NIV)