lifestyle pursuits…where ya at & what priorities?
1 comment May 17th, 2007
I’ve been dwelling on a topic of conversations that deals with how we’re living. Basically it’s simple: are we pursing complete Obedience, or merely Excellence? God’s call on us is total, unwavering obedience. To pursue Excellence involves compromise from time to time, and doesn’t have such clear black and white/right and wrong, that perfect obedience has. What do you think? Where are your targets?
Priorities… I’ve been dreaming of being places by now in my life, and doing things that have yet to be possible. Without going into details, wishing for change and longing for “assumed” wonderful-ness has done little to improve my contentedness with the present. As I presented this to my mentor, my “Paul”, (we all need a “Paul” and a “Timothy” in our lives, who are yours?) he broke it down to elementary for me, as I’ll turn and do for you. “What are your priorities Ethan?” he asked. I answered the typical, God, Family, service, etc. type answer, and he replied to that with a “really?” Further conversation revealed this: I was correct in my answer but not to the fullness of what the answer in itself revealed. As believers, our first priority is to pursue fellowship with Him, and do all we can to improve that and grow closer to Him in knowledge and truth. As a result of this priority being first, we might be able to discern His presence, power, and purpose in and through us. This is just a tid-bit of the blessings fellowship with God prompts, (I could go on all day). 2nd Priority: Our relationship with our spouse, and in the same way the fostering of a more loving and closer bondedness. Our spouses are a wonderful gift from God that we are blessed to be able to have and through that relationship be able to experience the bond of the church (bride) and Christ (bridegroom). 3rd Priority depends on if we have kids, as I do have one so far, everything I can do to better that relationship is paramount. The rest of our priorities in life are not as essential, especially if we consider what the fruit of priority #1 is. He longs to have fellowship with us, He loves us so much more than we can ever imagine. And as Jesus told his disciples in John 15:5, “…apart from me, you can do nothing”.
Heavy stuff this post, character class in session. Comments? questions? I love the interplay of replies. Wishing you a blessed day!