Reflections on Day 1 - The Task
I have discovered two significant things as I am pursuing the task which I gave myself regarding Day 1: "It's Not About You!"
First of all, there are an amazing number of "inputs" which pummel me in my daily living which all seem to focus on me doing something, or something I am responsible for. And, to be honest, the truth is that most of the things that I am told, required, or requested to do, I cannot do-alone. This alone humbles me. Some recent examples:
From my job:
I need YOU to deliver this freight, on time.
I need a lot of cooperation to do this. Traffic, speed limits, weigh stations, weather, logbooks, and many other things must be in concert before this will occur. My usual position is that I will do my best. But, this is a cop-out. I am not ABOUT doing MY best. Every "input" I just mentioned is, in fact, required. Yet each one also includes a rather slim margin for success, and a chasm for failure. And, I am excuse prone. "Why didn't you deliver this load on time?" BECAUSE...........didn't cooperate with the plan. It got there safely, with no bodies to account for. Isn't that enough?
No, it is not. Simple. Mothers seek rest, but the baby cries. Dads seek to fix the pipes, but work gets in the way. The teenager struggles for social acceptance AND top grades, but there are not enough hours in a day for both, and balance is a constant challenge.
Another Example:
I want/deserve/lust......
I've worked hard for it, and I deserve it. I think I should have it. They don't let me have it. I get totally out of orbit mad because they are withholding from me what I deserve. It's just not fair.
Don't look at me like that. You do it too. The ad reminds us to want it, to buy it, and to have it. Television, radio, the internet, and even strangers we talk to constantly bombard us with this message. This is where I most agree with some pretty fundamentalist evangelicals.
Both examples completely remove the focus, the purpose, and the energy from where it is truly supposed to be. Because, the simple truth is, it is NOT about me-ever. And it is not about you, either. Every time we trade HIS will for OUR will, several things happen:
1. We immediately move right OUT of God's Will, and plan for us.
2. We voluntarily stem the flow of His Blessings into our lives.
3. We, through our rebellion, remove ourselves from His fellowship.
4. We force whatever conditions are necessary to change the orbit of our universe to "ME". And, we do so with such effectiveness, that God can't even force His way into our moment.
5. Satan wins yet another, seemingly insignificant skirmish. Skirmishes add up, you see. He doesn't have to work hard at anything but patience. One skirmish at a time is his very best plan. IT WORKS!
The second thing I have noticed as I pursue this list which I gave myself is that there are many things on the list which very simply MAKE ME MAD!
The internal struggle between "Well, that one's ok. Who's gonna begrudge you getting your way just this one time?" and "Oh, come on! That one doesn't count! You are just picking a nit!" is absolutely incredible.
Look, the world belongs to Satan. He is the Prince of this World. And, until King Jesus returns in the fullness of His Glory, that's just the way it is. Ole Stoopid has had a very long time to put his plan together. Yes it will fail. But will it fail for me; for you?
Every time I place "I/Me/My" in a position superior to that of my God, Satan wins. It's really that simple. And that makes me incredibly angry.
We have the joy of knowing that the Dad who directs our path has in store for us blessings so abundant we cannot even begin to conceive of them, yet we "want". His Mercy is sufficient for any moment, yet we cry out like the lost lambs we are that it is impossible. And, that makes me just crazy stupid nuts mad.
The only thing that "I" truly need to do is to get re-aligned. In trucking, "I" am (believe me when I tell you) universally accepted as the very least significant piece of the drama that makes for a safe, on-time delivery. In the world, "I" am of no significant position whatsoever. The world sees me only as a consumer, and a changer of coin.
Why is it so blamed difficult-to keep forgetting that "I" was fearfully and wonderfully made by the God of the Universe, and even as a broke down sinner saved by Grace, through Faith, I am still a most especially elect Son of the Most High God? That, in Him, I have my all. Through Him, I will be completed to the purpose that He designed before the foundation of the world was laid? And, Because of Him alone, I do NOT have to be a slave here. I am His. I am a victorious warrior in His Cause.
How come that ain't on the Evening News?
Soli deo gloria!
Bud
I have discovered two significant things as I am pursuing the task which I gave myself regarding Day 1: "It's Not About You!"
First of all, there are an amazing number of "inputs" which pummel me in my daily living which all seem to focus on me doing something, or something I am responsible for. And, to be honest, the truth is that most of the things that I am told, required, or requested to do, I cannot do-alone. This alone humbles me. Some recent examples:
From my job:
I need YOU to deliver this freight, on time.
I need a lot of cooperation to do this. Traffic, speed limits, weigh stations, weather, logbooks, and many other things must be in concert before this will occur. My usual position is that I will do my best. But, this is a cop-out. I am not ABOUT doing MY best. Every "input" I just mentioned is, in fact, required. Yet each one also includes a rather slim margin for success, and a chasm for failure. And, I am excuse prone. "Why didn't you deliver this load on time?" BECAUSE...........didn't cooperate with the plan. It got there safely, with no bodies to account for. Isn't that enough?
No, it is not. Simple. Mothers seek rest, but the baby cries. Dads seek to fix the pipes, but work gets in the way. The teenager struggles for social acceptance AND top grades, but there are not enough hours in a day for both, and balance is a constant challenge.
Another Example:
I want/deserve/lust......
I've worked hard for it, and I deserve it. I think I should have it. They don't let me have it. I get totally out of orbit mad because they are withholding from me what I deserve. It's just not fair.
Don't look at me like that. You do it too. The ad reminds us to want it, to buy it, and to have it. Television, radio, the internet, and even strangers we talk to constantly bombard us with this message. This is where I most agree with some pretty fundamentalist evangelicals.
Both examples completely remove the focus, the purpose, and the energy from where it is truly supposed to be. Because, the simple truth is, it is NOT about me-ever. And it is not about you, either. Every time we trade HIS will for OUR will, several things happen:
1. We immediately move right OUT of God's Will, and plan for us.
2. We voluntarily stem the flow of His Blessings into our lives.
3. We, through our rebellion, remove ourselves from His fellowship.
4. We force whatever conditions are necessary to change the orbit of our universe to "ME". And, we do so with such effectiveness, that God can't even force His way into our moment.
5. Satan wins yet another, seemingly insignificant skirmish. Skirmishes add up, you see. He doesn't have to work hard at anything but patience. One skirmish at a time is his very best plan. IT WORKS!
The second thing I have noticed as I pursue this list which I gave myself is that there are many things on the list which very simply MAKE ME MAD!
The internal struggle between "Well, that one's ok. Who's gonna begrudge you getting your way just this one time?" and "Oh, come on! That one doesn't count! You are just picking a nit!" is absolutely incredible.
Look, the world belongs to Satan. He is the Prince of this World. And, until King Jesus returns in the fullness of His Glory, that's just the way it is. Ole Stoopid has had a very long time to put his plan together. Yes it will fail. But will it fail for me; for you?
Every time I place "I/Me/My" in a position superior to that of my God, Satan wins. It's really that simple. And that makes me incredibly angry.
We have the joy of knowing that the Dad who directs our path has in store for us blessings so abundant we cannot even begin to conceive of them, yet we "want". His Mercy is sufficient for any moment, yet we cry out like the lost lambs we are that it is impossible. And, that makes me just crazy stupid nuts mad.
The only thing that "I" truly need to do is to get re-aligned. In trucking, "I" am (believe me when I tell you) universally accepted as the very least significant piece of the drama that makes for a safe, on-time delivery. In the world, "I" am of no significant position whatsoever. The world sees me only as a consumer, and a changer of coin.
Why is it so blamed difficult-to keep forgetting that "I" was fearfully and wonderfully made by the God of the Universe, and even as a broke down sinner saved by Grace, through Faith, I am still a most especially elect Son of the Most High God? That, in Him, I have my all. Through Him, I will be completed to the purpose that He designed before the foundation of the world was laid? And, Because of Him alone, I do NOT have to be a slave here. I am His. I am a victorious warrior in His Cause.
How come that ain't on the Evening News?
Soli deo gloria!
Bud
posted by Budroe | 6:30 PM
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