Often we think the story of the world is about us. Maybe we take a step back and say that the story of the world is about each and every individual person equally.
In the moment that we feel the story is about each person equally we are far closer to the truth than when we feel the story of the world is about us. But we need to take another step back.
The story of the world is more about God than it is about us. It may seem strange at first thought, but ultimately God created us and sustains us. You see that in the beginning of the world and at the end of the world is God.
At the height of the story of the world we find God taking on flesh and living among us to save us from ourselves. Theologians often talk about God entering into history. It is certainly a true statement with a lot to think about. But really we often get carried away and feel that history has its own life.
Really all of history is linked to God's story. It is about how people respond or do not respond to God and the consequences of fallen man's disobedience and rejection of God's plan in the world. Always the main character in the story is God and we find it easy to forget this fact.
Showing posts with label self-centeredness. Show all posts
Showing posts with label self-centeredness. Show all posts
Wednesday, October 8, 2014
Saturday, April 5, 2014
Action and Prayer
Prayer is a beautiful gift of God to man. God wishes for man to come into his presence to speak to him.
Not all prayer is beautiful. Sometimes prayer becomes an easy excuse in the church.
There is a problem and I will pray about it. My contribution to the problem is prayer.
You see this is often enough but sometimes as we pray we should be open to the fact that we may be part of the solution. Often the solutions to things our outside of us, but we need an openness to act.
Over time you will see there are many people who appear not open to act. They are often very open to pray, however.
Prayer and action need to be linked. Why would we pray for a solution if the solution is within our grasp?
Maybe the solution is not within our grasp but with prayer and thought maybe we can be part of the solution.
You see it is always important to desire to be part of the resolution to issues. If we have an ability to play a part than we should play a part.
Of course we should rest. We cannot minister 24/7 nor should we. Jesus rested and did not always minister.
You see many excuses that I am too tired. I am too mentally tired, or I am spiritually tired.
Sometimes it is true but often especially last two cases of being mentally or spiritually tired charitable work or good deeds of helping others often have an uplifting effect on the human psyche.
Sometimes I will feel in a terrible mood and that helping the world is the last thing I have energy to do. And then I do something to help and feel better.
You see my problem was that in thinking about myself too much I had turned inward and my mind became poisoned by my self-centeredness. When I looked to help the other I felt better because the issue was that I spent too much time thinking of myself.
It is not always the case but there is great joy in helping others. Even if our work involves helping others you see if we are paid we have received a reward for our work.
The reward of pay does not invalidate the goodness of what is done and we should do everything to the glory of God. But there is always something more uplifting about doing good when we receive no monetary incentive.
Not all prayer is beautiful. Sometimes prayer becomes an easy excuse in the church.
There is a problem and I will pray about it. My contribution to the problem is prayer.
You see this is often enough but sometimes as we pray we should be open to the fact that we may be part of the solution. Often the solutions to things our outside of us, but we need an openness to act.
Over time you will see there are many people who appear not open to act. They are often very open to pray, however.
Prayer and action need to be linked. Why would we pray for a solution if the solution is within our grasp?
Maybe the solution is not within our grasp but with prayer and thought maybe we can be part of the solution.
You see it is always important to desire to be part of the resolution to issues. If we have an ability to play a part than we should play a part.
Of course we should rest. We cannot minister 24/7 nor should we. Jesus rested and did not always minister.
You see many excuses that I am too tired. I am too mentally tired, or I am spiritually tired.
Sometimes it is true but often especially last two cases of being mentally or spiritually tired charitable work or good deeds of helping others often have an uplifting effect on the human psyche.
Sometimes I will feel in a terrible mood and that helping the world is the last thing I have energy to do. And then I do something to help and feel better.
You see my problem was that in thinking about myself too much I had turned inward and my mind became poisoned by my self-centeredness. When I looked to help the other I felt better because the issue was that I spent too much time thinking of myself.
It is not always the case but there is great joy in helping others. Even if our work involves helping others you see if we are paid we have received a reward for our work.
The reward of pay does not invalidate the goodness of what is done and we should do everything to the glory of God. But there is always something more uplifting about doing good when we receive no monetary incentive.
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