JUNE 28, 2017

“Lack of confidence, sometimes alternating with unrealistic dreams of heroic success, often leads to procrastination, and many studies suggest that procrastinators are self-handicappers: rather than risk failure, they prefer to create conditions that make success impossible, a reflex that of course creates a vicious cycle.” 
― James Surowiecki

JOB 13-15

1“Mortals, born of woman,

are of few days and full of trouble.

2They spring up like flowers and wither away;

like fleeting shadows, they do not endure.(14:1-2)

ACTS 8:26-40

26Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Go south to the road—the desert road—that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” 27So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian^a eunuch, an important official in charge of all the treasury of the Kandake (which means “queen of the Ethiopians”). This man had gone to Jerusalem to worship, 28and on his way home was sitting in his chariot reading the Book of Isaiah the prophet. 29The Spirit told Philip, “Go to that chariot and stay near it.”

30Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. “Do you understand what you are reading?” Philip asked.

31“How can I,” he said, “unless someone explains it to me?” So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.

JOURNAL 

Job is discouraged and is in essence throwing a fit and dismissing his purpose and his life...I get it, there are many times I have been there myself, yet I had not experienced the tragedies of Job. He is angry and in despair and it only makes it worse that his closest friends keep at him trying to get him to admit what sin he committed to cause all of his troubles. 

Here is the stark reality of life. Troubles are just part of life, whether we cause them or are impacted by them...they just are part of our existence. I should constantly be probing to see if I am in error...if I have succumbed to to sin. That is the essence of self-awareness and humility. But just because something terrible happens doesn't mean it was a result of my sin. 

So how am I to live? I believe the only way to really live is to live life in obedience to the spirit of God...no matter where that takes me. No matter what suffering or success ensues. I don't follow God to live a problem free life. I follow God because I believe doing so is the best way to live this life. I believe that doing so will help me become the best version of me. I believe doing so will also help others become the best versions of themselves. In the end I believe it will ultimately build God's kingdom..."on earth as it is in Heaven."

9“This, then, is how you should pray:

“ ‘Our Father in heaven,

hallowed be your name,

10your kingdom come,

your will be done,

on earth as it is in heaven.

11Give us today our daily bread.

12And forgive us our debts,

as we also have forgiven our debtors.

13And lead us not into temptation,^a

but deliver us from the evil one.^b ’

MATTHEW 6:9-13