Choices

Of recent times I have commenced reading another book (surprise, surprise), Simple Life - (Time, Relationships, Money, God) by Thom S, Rainer & Art Rainer. I sought out this book after reading Simple Church which had a profound impact on me. Some reading this Blog may recall earlier contributions referring back to this, the content was profound, though nothing new, and as the title suggested, it was getting back to being 'Simple' (focused, intentional, minimalistic in the approach).

I have been thinking over the past couple of days of something stated within this new  book, again, nothing I haven't heard before, but it is hitting me between the eyes. It starts with my understanding of what I want most from my life? What might I desire to accomplish? What do I count to be most important? What might my mission (life) statement include? And how important is this to me? What am I willing to do to see this through?

The co-writers highlight the struggles and excuses that go with attempting to accomplish what we might really want. You may identify with some of these, 'I am just too busy. We really need the additional income. Maybe sometime later when we have established ourselves.' And the excuses go on. However, if we really examine it honestly, we will find we will always be busy, we will seldom have the financial security we want, and later may be too late and the opportunity lost forever.

Here was the crux of it - I have a choice. I can lean toward any of the excuses and hardly anyone will challenge them (where maybe we ought to be holding one another more accountable - but that is for another blog) or I can exercise my choice to go for what is most important to me. 

I am challenged to make some decisions and exercise some choices about what is really important to me in my life, to bring some discipline to my living and daily practices, to let go of excuses and to be more intentional. Maybe you are stirred to do the same.

Lord, I believe you desire purpose, fulfillment and accomplishment for my life, help me to be faithful in living this life the way you intend for me to live it, in all it's fulness.

A matter of choice ...

I thought something slightly different tonight. I have been reading another non-fiction of two sisters who rescued Jews from the Nazis - Safe Passage by Ida Cook (one of the sisters). It truly is a remarkable story and spells out for me the heroism of two woman, as they willingly took enormous risks to bring life to others, for whom life was threatened.

Something that stood out was an encounter with someone whom they had come to admire greatly and this question was asked of her, "What was it Marjorie, that keeps you so bright and courageous in spite of everything? you must have some clear and remarkable philosophy to support you." She smiled mischievously, but replied without hesitation, "Well, you see, many people believe in God and make themselves miserable. We believe in God and have lots of fun. That's all."

"That's all." It sounds so simple doesn't it. And yet, in a sense, isn't it? Is it not merely a matter of what we choose for it to be? Some choose misery. We have an option to choose otherwise - to choose fun. To choose life. To choose something positive and affirming and infectious (in the positive sense). We can choose to allow the circumstances to dictate disappointment and loss, or we can choose to rise above it and learn and be thankful for surviving it.

What about you? What is your choice? As for me - I choose fun!

The principle of the path ...

Well, onto another book which I want to share some insight from tonight. Maybe something more of a getting you thinking and whetting the appetite to read the book for yourself.

One of my favourite authors. A person I have had the privilege of sitting under their ministry a few times (both in Chicago and here in Australia), to which this exposed me to his writings and then the application much of what I learnt from these to my own ministry (well an attempt to do this). Andy Stanley and the book The Principle of the Path.

The gist of the book is that, this principle of the path totally effects our lives, whether it be dating, marriage, child-raising, career, finances, health. Andy Stanley reminds us that direction - not intentions, hopes, dreams, prayers, beliefs, intellect, or education - determines destination. Simply put, you and I will win or lose in life by the paths we choose.

Crudely speaking (in my simple explanation), no matter what we might intend. No matter how learned we might be. No matter what we hope or dream for. It is the path we choose and the direction we go that determines the destination we find ourselves in the end. If we continue down a particular route in life that is heading to destruction, don't expect a simple prayer or hope for something different, to change the outcome of that destination point, if  (unless) you don't stop and change course - it won't and cannot happen.

Lord, the realisation I come to, is the need to listen to You and follow the lead You give for my life. To choose Your direction, the path You have set before me and to stick to this. Help me to do this in faith and to Your glory.

How you live ...

Do you have those occasions when you think, I don't know that I will worry about this ..." and then you decide, nah I think I will do that. And when you do you discover something that you would otherwise have missed out on. There are times when I will leave some of the readings from the "Life journal Reading Plan" opting to shorten the load on the occasion, ie. I might choose not to do the Chronicles readings for a series, etc. Well that is where I was at today, I thought I would give the 2 Chronicles 26 & 27 a miss, then changed my mind. I am glad I did.

In chapter 26 we read of the great start that Uzziah got off to as King:

2 Chronicles 26:4-5 (New Living Translation)

4 He did what was pleasing in the Lord’s sight, just as his father, Amaziah, had done. 5 Uzziah sought God during the days of Zechariah, who taught him to fear God. And as long as the king sought guidance from the Lord, God gave him success.

It seems that the Kings who were pleasing in the Lord's sight are few and far between. And then there is the disappointment:

2 Chronicles 26:16 (New Living Translation)

Uzziah’s Sin and Punishment

16 But when he had become powerful, he also became proud, which led to his downfall. He sinned against the Lord his God by entering the sanctuary of the Lord’s Temple and personally burning incense on the incense altar.

It was then that I read further into chapter 27, I am so glad that I did. Here I encountered Uzziah's son, Jotham, and here are the couple of encouraging verses:

2 Chronicles 27:2 (New Living Translation)

2 Jotham did what was pleasing in the Lord’s sight. He did everything his father, Uzziah, had done, except that Jotham did not sin by entering the Temple of the Lord. But the people continued in their corrupt ways.

2 Chronicles 27:6 (New Living Translation)

6 King Jotham became powerful because he was careful to live in obedience to the Lord his God.

I love reading of those who have managed to keep it together. Especially when there is some record of what assisted them to do this. What helped them to be successful. For Jotham we discover it was because he was careful to live in obedience to the Lord his God.

What does this mean? I believe it marries with those verses we have looked at before whereby we are reminded that God is satisfied when we are honest and upright before Him. When we remember to listen and attune our lives to His instruction, being obedient to His voice, rather than merely following tradition or practice. I reckon it aligns to the occasions where instruction is given to "guard your faith". To ensure that you remain in the Lord by displaying those fruits of the Spirit in your life (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control).

"Lord, it is my desire to be one of Your servants who is careful to live in obedience to Your plan for my life. I understand though that I cannot accomplish this in my own strength. Help me to lean on the strength that comes in Your Holy Spirit, so that I might be counted faithful and obedient."

Where's the heart ...

How careful we have to be to ensure we do not get in such a rut that all we are doing is going through the motions. I have seen it, time and time again. Here is the typical one I can recall - "we really must say the Lord's prayer ..." Are you kidding me? Do you not get it? Have a look again, here is a way to fashion your prayer. Here is a model for you. Look at the various elements that are contained, and pray in this fashion. I even recall an occasion whereby for a number of weeks we dissected the model and worked through it to assist people to understand what was meant by this instruction of Jesus. And you know what happened? Somebody approached me at the end of the series and asked, "are we going to say it in the services again each week now." Well you might imagine I just wanted to scream.

The passage from Isaiah tonight reveals to us that the people were fulfilling the elements to worship - sacrifices, burnt offerings, parading in the courts of the temple with ceremony, bringing gifts, burning incense, lifting their hands in prayer and offering many prayers... But, this is not what satisfies the Lord if all it is, is a going through the motions. Have a look at what the Lord required of them (and requires of us).

Isaiah 1:16-17 (New Living Translation)

16 Wash yourselves and be clean!

Get your sins out of my sight.

Give up your evil ways.

17 Learn to do good.

Seek justice.

Help the oppressed.

Defend the cause of orphans.

Fight for the rights of widows.

We are to look out for those who are marginalised and disadvantaged within our communities, that's what this means, that is what the Lord requires. It might be somewhat like the Matthew 25 passage - "as you have done unto the least of these ..."

However, let me point out - it is not merely about our correction, or about what we must do. It follows on somewhat from the restorative reading of yesterday. Have a look at the activity of the Lord in this, as He looks to make things right:

Isaiah 1:18-20 (New Living Translation)

18 “Come now, let’s settle this,”

says the Lord.

“Though your sins are like scarlet,

I will make them as white as snow.

Though they are red like crimson,

I will make them as white as wool.

And the promise if we are obedient:

19 If you will only obey me,

you will have plenty to eat.

And if we are not obedient:

20 But if you turn away and refuse to listen,

you will be devoured by the sword of your enemies.

I, the Lord, have spoken!”

I know where my choice lies.