“The difference between an admirer and a follower still remains, no matter where you are. The admirer never makes any true sacrifices. He always plays it safe. Though in words, phrases, songs, he is inexhaustible about how highly he prizes Christ, he renounces nothing, gives up nothing, will not reconstruct his life, will not be what he admires, and will not let his life express what it is he supposedly admires.”
― Søren Kierkegaard, Provocations: Spiritual Writings of Kierkegaard
― Søren Kierkegaard, Provocations: Spiritual Writings of Kierkegaard
PSALM 25-27
ACTS 20:17-38
32“Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. 33I have not coveted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing. 34You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions. 35In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”
JOURNAL
Paul's whole objective has been simply to give his life in preaching the gospel. That's it...no other ulterior motive...he trusts that whatever happens to God and God alone. This is beyond what I have seen in my life. Life as I have lived and seen others live is full of motives that stray far beyond simple obedience. Does that mean that I am distracted and am not sold out to following God? Maybe...at least on the surface it seems so.
Living in our culture the distractions are immense...There is a definite pull toward leisure and comfort. The american dream...as often advertised...seems to be to end up in a peaceful, protected existence with no real responsibilities or struggles. Wealth, power and good times often seem to the the ultimate objective. Are these wrong and how am I to live in this world, in this country, in this community and narrow my objective down to just following God?
This is the rub...this is what makes it hard and a constant battle. First off I know that I have to come to God every morning with no agenda. I have to clear my mind and heart of any objective, goal, wish etc. I must be grateful for the simple privilege of life, breath, a working mind and body. Then dig into God's word and open my heart and mind to whatever he calls me into doing.
It is then and only then that I can begin to allow my family, my friends, my community into the sphere of my objectives and mission. Considering all this gives me my marching orders for the day...it is only after all of this that I can allow myself to consider the more tangible aspects of life and they must only be considered in context of those first things.
This is hard...this goes against the more carnal, physical immediate desire for good times, leisure, fun etc. It is not that any of those things are evil or wrong...however they can become evil and wrong if they supplant God, family, community and living out my mission and purpose.
Living in our culture the distractions are immense...There is a definite pull toward leisure and comfort. The american dream...as often advertised...seems to be to end up in a peaceful, protected existence with no real responsibilities or struggles. Wealth, power and good times often seem to the the ultimate objective. Are these wrong and how am I to live in this world, in this country, in this community and narrow my objective down to just following God?
This is the rub...this is what makes it hard and a constant battle. First off I know that I have to come to God every morning with no agenda. I have to clear my mind and heart of any objective, goal, wish etc. I must be grateful for the simple privilege of life, breath, a working mind and body. Then dig into God's word and open my heart and mind to whatever he calls me into doing.
It is then and only then that I can begin to allow my family, my friends, my community into the sphere of my objectives and mission. Considering all this gives me my marching orders for the day...it is only after all of this that I can allow myself to consider the more tangible aspects of life and they must only be considered in context of those first things.
This is hard...this goes against the more carnal, physical immediate desire for good times, leisure, fun etc. It is not that any of those things are evil or wrong...however they can become evil and wrong if they supplant God, family, community and living out my mission and purpose.
22“And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. 23I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. 24However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.
ACTS 20:22-24
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