Do What I Say

I don't know why, but I think ALL of us are guilty of talking ourselves up into being "more" than we really are. For me, I say I'm a Christian but yet gossip and slander and have a negative attitude. I judge and am selfish and care way more about being right than being kind. I say God is my No. 1 priority but don't remember the last time I did an honest Bible study. I say "I'm praying for you" but don't. And even in my non-faith life -- I say I am Crossfit but hate to workout. I say I eat healthy but sneak sweets. I am a hypocrite. We all are.

This year, I intend to be what I say I am. If I say my priorities are God, spouse, children, work then those priorities will be demonstrated in my daily choices. If I say I work out 4 times a week, I will work out 4 times a week. If I say I eat Paleo, then I will eat Paleo.

I get sick to my stomach when I think of how I try to impress people by saying I'm a certain way but really fall short when the doors close and no one is around. I think we all do this because we are ashamed of what we really are -- sinners who fall short. We are afraid people won't like us or think less of us if we show our weaknesses, or lack of being "superhuman."

This all stems from not being secure in who we are in Christ (see previous post). I think as I purposefully seek God in 2011, being more authentic will be easier for me. God will reveal to me how I am perfect the way I am because I am in Christ. I am fearfully and wonderfully made. He is the only person's judgement that matters on my life -- and He understands and loves me right where I am.

This is yet another aspect of our year of "Living on Purpose."

Living Life on Purpose

I had a great boss a couple jobs ago who was very spiritual. She knew the ins and outs of many different religions but I do not think she was saved. Nonetheless, one day in December I remember asking her if she had thought about her New Year's resolutions. She said she doesn't have resolutions. Instead, she chooses a theme or concept for the year and tries to focus on that theme, base her decisions on that theme and live life according to that theme. I think she said that year, her theme had been "joy."

So, Tyler and I have been talking about half-efforts on much of the stuff we do. We start books and tasks and talks and never finish. We have lists and to-dos and programs and processes but never follow though. Imagine what we would have done in our lives if we actually finished what we started. So with that being said, we've decided our theme for next year is "Living on Purpose." 

What does that mean?

It means to do things deliberately in order to gain a desired result. To more or less, suck the potential out of every activity or action so we can grow as individuals.

I think about my to-do list of life and how I often rush through the tasks just to finish. "Work out? Check. Spend time with my child? Check. Call my mother? Check." I don't fully engage in the task. I am not present in the task. I don't absorb the potential positive outcome of the task.

Next year, I will look at my to-do list with focus and vigor. I will work out to make myself more fit, flexible and strong -- not just to put in my time. I will read the Bible to actively seek God -- not just to appear more spiritual. I will be fully engaged with my child. I will give 100% effort and focus in whatever I choose to do.

After we decided on our 2011 theme, I got all excited about the things I would be able to do if I had this new mindset -- learn a new language, write a book, get more fit.


But then God really spoke to me. Jesus said, "What good is it if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul?" Paul said in one of his letters, "Everything else is worthless when compared to knowing Christ our Lord" or "Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added onto you."

I think having the "eternal" mindset will really help me sort out what I SHOULD focus on. Why focus SO MUCH on six-pack abs when we will be given new bodies in Heaven? Why concentrate on learning a new language if we all speak with new tongues in Heaven? Why write a book if my motives are to make money or be famous? By clinging to God through this process, I know I will be better able to weed out the time-wasting goals and focus on what really matters in the long run.

"Where ever your treasure is, there your heart will also be."

Mary Did You Know?

At church today, we learned about the meaning behind "Hark, the Herald Angels Sing." While they showed the lyrics line by line, I just couldn't help but think about Mary and ask myself lots of questions:

1. First she was only about 14. Were women (or girls) that age more mature back then? Did having a baby at that age completely freak her out? Or were her friends also having babies (not immaculately of course)?
2. And through her pregnancy, was it real to her, like "ohmigosh, I'm carrying the Son of God"? Did she try to be "extra careful" so she didn't "hurt" Jesus in-utero? Did she make sure to exercise and eat her veggies? Did she "take it easy"?
3. And when Jesus was finally born, did she feel extra responsiblity to take care of Him? Was it real to her that He was actually God lying there?

Being a mother now, it's still hard to comprehend how Mary must have felt. And when people from ALL OVER the area trekked to see her tiny baby, did it make the whole situation more real to her? The Bible said she hid it all in her heart and thought about it often. I bet it made her so happy. I wonder if she ever felt pride or self-centerednes for being the chosen mother to the Lamb. I mean, she was 1. a teenager and 2. sinful.

Nonetheless, it is so amazing to think about Mary's role in Jesus' birth.

Great song that also asks Mary those "hard" questions.

A Woman's Ministry

For this reason he had to be made like them, [a] fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. - Hebrews 2:17

Christ was made like us in order to be a service to God. Similarly, we as children of God are to be like Christ -- more specifically, our marriages are to reflect Christ and his relationship to the church. He was a "merciful and faithful high priest." We are called to be the same. But how?

In our moms' group this past week, our speaker dove into what priests did in their ministry in the Old Testament and used their actions as a guide for women today.

1. Priests prepared those close to them for worship. Wives and mothers can do this by initiating prayers, hymns, verse memorization, bible reading and open conversation about the awesome grace of God. Her goal is to make the family focus on Christ's sacrifice.

2. Priests issued blessings. Wives and mothers are in the trenches of everyday life. They can be a blessing to their family by giving just a little bit more than they have to give (with God's unending energy and grace). For instance, a mother completely spent after a busy and exhausting day can still be a blessing to her husband by being in a cheerful mood or meeting a certain request. Blessings force her to look beyond herself and offer a sacrifice to those she serves.

3. Priests taught a ministry of reconciliation. Kids see an average of 7 conflicts daily between parents but often zero reconciliations. Parents start a fight with children present but then solve the problem in another room behind closed doors. When they reappear, the children do not know how their parents got from angry/fighting to smiley and kind. By showing children how to successfully reconcile, it reflects how we, as sinners, are reconciled to God through forgiveness.

4. Priests taught people the law of God. Teaching is best done by action rather than word. Wives and mothers are to be a living example of joy, peace, generosity, etc.

5. Priests prayed. Wives and mothers can intercede for their children and husband. Ask your spouse how you can pray for him and eventually he will ask you the same back. Cover them in prayer every day.

The speaker concluded saying if wives and mothers follow this grand plan of God's, our households -- and marriages -- will stay together.