Mark a life of discipline - easier said than done. What we often "mark" is the fact we are rather undisciplined characters, living as we like and then wondering why our choices have yielded less than desirable results. Wisdom calls out - listen carefully. One of the tell-tale signs of an undisciplined life is the inability or unwillingness to listen. Blessing comes to those who live "awake" lives - those who are alert and responsive to the Lord. Now, this all said, just how much of our lives do we actually live "alert" and "responsive"? If we cannot say we do this more often than not, we are likely living rather undisciplined and opportunities pass us by without our notice.
So, my dear friends, listen carefully; those who embrace these my ways are most blessed. Mark a life of discipline and live wisely; don’t squander your precious life. Blessed the man, blessed the woman, who listens to me, awake and ready for me each morning, alert and responsive as I start my day’s work. When you find me, you find life, real life, to say nothing of God’s good pleasure. But if you wrong me, you damage your very soul; when you reject me, you’re flirting with death. (Proverbs 8:32-36 MSG)
The condition of a disciplined life is that of being active in embracing the right stuff. For some, this is the right people - those who will actually help us to grow and mature into solidly grounded individuals. For others, this is the right choices when faced with the multitude of opportunities which herald our attention. Still others think of this as just being in the right place at the right time - kind of "kismet" of sorts. Dare I say, kismet is not the best means by which to develop a disciplined life! On the other hand, paying attention to those we associate with and the choices we make when opportunities herald our attention definitely comes closer to "marking a disciplined life".
A disciplined individual does more than just follow the rules - they desire to understand the intent behind he rule. For example, the rules to drive at a certain speed on a highway vs. within a school zone are different, aren't they? The "rule" is similar, though. In general, the rule is to give us "limits" to abide within so we can avoid unnecessary injury to self or others. Exceed the limits and we place ourselves in places of danger. The knowledge of both the need for the rule and the intent of the rule helps us to understand the importance of keeping the rule.
A disciplined individual is intent on becoming better at something. In a natural sense, the individual who desires to become a great musician exercises certain discipline to give up "fun" for the time to practice the scales and transitions which will mark him/her as a great musician. The purpose and intent exhibited in the consistent practicing will eventually pay off with excellence in the skill they are pursuing. In a spiritual sense, when we "practice" the right stuff long enough, it begins to "pay dividends" beyond our imagining.
A disciplined life is also marked by correction, as warranted. No one goes through life without the need for correction. When we are faced with the need for corrective action, if we stall out, turn the other way, or do whatever is necessary to avoid it, we likely are running from living within the rules and with a purposeful intent. In other words, we are living undisciplined lives.
Remembering the keys of being awake and alert - disciplined lives are marked with attentive surrender (responsiveness). There is nothing more rewarding than to hear the strings of the violin when played by a skilled musician - one who has been attentive to learn the skill. The beauty produced is not by accident - in fact, it seems the strings are "responding" to the movements of the musician. This is all God ever asks of us - to respond to his movements in our lives. These movements are subtle and easily missed if inattentive or undisciplined. Because they are so subtle, we need to exercise vigilance toward them. Maybe this is why the disciplined life is marked with alertness and awareness - for responsiveness is a result of these two characteristics.
Disciplined lives are responsive lives. What are you responding to? Are you awake and alert? Are you paying attention to the subtle voice and leading of God's Spirit? He doesn't shout - he whispers. You listening?
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Showing posts with label Responsiveness. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Responsiveness. Show all posts
Monday, September 16, 2013
Friday, December 14, 2012
You "checked out"?
Some of us embrace the fullness of life and then some of us are "squandering" the fullness life could have, aren't we? There are even times when we are gung-ho about seeking all life has to show us, while there are others when we'd just as soon "check-out" for a while and resume this whole thing called life just a little later on when things calm down a little. It is only natural to be "all in" sometimes, and then pull back a little at others - we are not gonna always be giving life our 100%, right? Sometimes we just need to escape! I wonder if there is important stuff we miss out on when we are "checked-out", though?
Solomon puts forward some advice for living well. First, we have to be in a position of hearing. I guess the first thing which goes when we are "checked out" is really our willingness to REALLY listen. We hear the words, but are they really making any connection? Not usually. I was "checked out" for a moment in a staff meeting this week, so the next day when a co-worker was not at her desk at the regular time, I questioned where she was, only to find out they had announced she'd be honored at an employee breakfast that morning. I "heard" what was said, but it did not make a "connection" so that I held onto it! I was listening, but I wasn't really hearing! God deals with this a lot in each of us - we listen, but do we really hear what he is saying? When "hearing" happens, there is connection. Maybe this is why Solomon begins with us being in a position of hearing!
Second, we have to "mark a life of discipline" - whatever that means! Well, it means we take the instructions we are given and we act upon them. It isn't some mystical process - just obedience, plain and simple. The problem we face is in setting ourselves up to miss out on the disciplined life. In other words, if we aren't first in a place of hearing what God says, we won't be inclined to live by his instructions - because we won't really be "listening" to hear what he teaches! When we know to do something, then choose not to do, James says this is "sin". It is knowing what mark we are to aim toward, then choosing to fly in a different direction! "Checked out" people don't hit the mark! So, if you find yourself aimless, you might just ask if you are really embracing the instructions God has given. His ways are not aimless - they are directed and sure.
Third, we can't go about "squandering" what we are given. We are given grace - how we handle it determines how much impact it is really making in our lives. If someone gives you a gift of $100, and you have not had more than two nickels to your name for quite some time, how would you "embrace" this gift? For some, they'd go "hog wild", spending it so frivolously that it would be gone in under a day. They'd look back and see a few things they might hold onto as a "memory" of the gift, but it would be gone for the most part. Others who have learned the value of the gift might just put it away, making consistent withdrawals from it to meet the ongoing needs they will have along the way. I think God likes the idea of "frequent withdrawals" more than the "scattering to the wind" kind of approach. When we are "marking a life of discipline", we are learning to be consistent. Obedience comes in fits and spurts at first, but in time, practiced enough, it becomes a pattern. Grace becomes a lifestyle, not a "spending spree"!
Fourth, we need to learn the value of alertness. I can be awake, but being alert is a totally separate process! My eyes are open, by eyes are moving and keeping up with the events around me, but when the moment comes, how I respond to the "thing" which seems to fly at me out of nowhere is evidence of my "alertness". Alertness speaks of focus or attention. Solomon is focusing on our attention - because when we are attentive, we are nimble and quick to respond. God's greatest delight is to find us alert - not just awake!
Last, but not least, we have to be ready to respond, not just with the first thing which comes to mind, but in a well-ordered way. When we begin with hearing, it is natural we will be ready to respond well. We won't miss stuff because we are "all in"! "Checked out" is a choice - determining to live "all in" is equally a choice. Just sayin!
So, my dear friends, listen carefully; those who embrace these my ways are most blessed. Mark a life of discipline and live wisely; don’t squander your precious life. Blessed the man, blessed the woman, who listens to me, awake and ready for me each morning, alert and responsive as I start my day’s work. When you find me, you find life, real life, to say nothing of God’s good pleasure. (Proverbs 8:32-35 MSG)
Solomon puts forward some advice for living well. First, we have to be in a position of hearing. I guess the first thing which goes when we are "checked out" is really our willingness to REALLY listen. We hear the words, but are they really making any connection? Not usually. I was "checked out" for a moment in a staff meeting this week, so the next day when a co-worker was not at her desk at the regular time, I questioned where she was, only to find out they had announced she'd be honored at an employee breakfast that morning. I "heard" what was said, but it did not make a "connection" so that I held onto it! I was listening, but I wasn't really hearing! God deals with this a lot in each of us - we listen, but do we really hear what he is saying? When "hearing" happens, there is connection. Maybe this is why Solomon begins with us being in a position of hearing!
Second, we have to "mark a life of discipline" - whatever that means! Well, it means we take the instructions we are given and we act upon them. It isn't some mystical process - just obedience, plain and simple. The problem we face is in setting ourselves up to miss out on the disciplined life. In other words, if we aren't first in a place of hearing what God says, we won't be inclined to live by his instructions - because we won't really be "listening" to hear what he teaches! When we know to do something, then choose not to do, James says this is "sin". It is knowing what mark we are to aim toward, then choosing to fly in a different direction! "Checked out" people don't hit the mark! So, if you find yourself aimless, you might just ask if you are really embracing the instructions God has given. His ways are not aimless - they are directed and sure.
Third, we can't go about "squandering" what we are given. We are given grace - how we handle it determines how much impact it is really making in our lives. If someone gives you a gift of $100, and you have not had more than two nickels to your name for quite some time, how would you "embrace" this gift? For some, they'd go "hog wild", spending it so frivolously that it would be gone in under a day. They'd look back and see a few things they might hold onto as a "memory" of the gift, but it would be gone for the most part. Others who have learned the value of the gift might just put it away, making consistent withdrawals from it to meet the ongoing needs they will have along the way. I think God likes the idea of "frequent withdrawals" more than the "scattering to the wind" kind of approach. When we are "marking a life of discipline", we are learning to be consistent. Obedience comes in fits and spurts at first, but in time, practiced enough, it becomes a pattern. Grace becomes a lifestyle, not a "spending spree"!
Fourth, we need to learn the value of alertness. I can be awake, but being alert is a totally separate process! My eyes are open, by eyes are moving and keeping up with the events around me, but when the moment comes, how I respond to the "thing" which seems to fly at me out of nowhere is evidence of my "alertness". Alertness speaks of focus or attention. Solomon is focusing on our attention - because when we are attentive, we are nimble and quick to respond. God's greatest delight is to find us alert - not just awake!
Last, but not least, we have to be ready to respond, not just with the first thing which comes to mind, but in a well-ordered way. When we begin with hearing, it is natural we will be ready to respond well. We won't miss stuff because we are "all in"! "Checked out" is a choice - determining to live "all in" is equally a choice. Just sayin!
Friday, October 29, 2010
Embracing Arms
32-36 "So, my dear friends, listen carefully;
those who embrace these my ways are most blessed.
Mark a life of discipline and live wisely;
don't squander your precious life.
Blessed the man, blessed the woman, who listens to me,
awake and ready for me each morning,
alert and responsive as I start my day's work.
When you find me, you find life, real life,
to say nothing of God's good pleasure.
But if you wrong me, you damage your very soul;
when you reject me, you're flirting with death."
those who embrace these my ways are most blessed.
Mark a life of discipline and live wisely;
don't squander your precious life.
Blessed the man, blessed the woman, who listens to me,
awake and ready for me each morning,
alert and responsive as I start my day's work.
When you find me, you find life, real life,
to say nothing of God's good pleasure.
But if you wrong me, you damage your very soul;
when you reject me, you're flirting with death."
(Proverbs 8:32-36)
Wisdom, in the book of Proverbs, represents not only a characteristic we develop, but a person - the person of Jesus Christ. The very life of Christ was a display of wisdom by which we can pattern our daily walk. Our writer spent the first eight chapters of this book reminding us of the importance of choosing wisdom over any other action. If something is repeated that many times in Scripture, it is pretty important that we put on our spiritual "ears" to hear what is being said.
When you find me, you find life, real life - these words point us directly to Jesus. In him, we find all the things in life we label as "good" and "real". There is nothing as fulfilling as coming into relationship with Jesus. Yet, so many of us live far below what we would call a "fulfilled" life - we just don't "feel" fulfilled. Why is that? Well, we can turn to the passage today to find some advice with this question. Those who embrace my ways - this is key to experiencing God's fullness every day of our lives.
The concept of embracing is involves the idea that we take something with eagerness, excitement, and anticipation. There is a gladness in accepting what is offered and a willingness to allow ourselves to come close to what we are embracing - almost like taking it to ourselves in such a way that we become one with it. God's promise to us is that if we embrace him, he embraces us back - and his embrace carries with it more than just physical comfort. God's embrace carries with it "blessing" - the sense of knowing that we are safe, secure, and sheltered.
When we understand that God values a daily "embrace" as much as we do, we find ourselves eager to run to him. Our writer indicates that when we come to him with listening ears, awake and ready for him each morning, we find real life and his good pleasure. There is nothing more that God desires of us than to be alert and responsive.
Alertness involves being ready and prepared for action. Responsiveness involves responding readily to what God shows us. Think about an embrace. When we reach out to another human being in embrace, aren't we hoping to find that person as responsive to our embrace - ready, prepared for the embrace? God is no different - he is waiting each morning - arms outstretched. His hope: That we will respond readily to him - prepared for the action he will call us to be involved in that day.
Today, the willingness to embrace God in a responsive and alert way may not come as easily as it will two or three week's down the road - but do it anyway. Yield some of yourself to him today and ask him to show you how to live a life of discipline and learning. Then faithfully return each day - reaching out with an "embracing" heart - open to what God has for you each new day. In turn, God's embrace begins to become a thing we cannot live without. It may be a little uncomfortable at first, but a thing of blessing as we practice his embrace more and more.
We can squander away our time on all the "agenda items" we have lined up for our day - things we have labeled as "important", "urgent", or "requires attention". God is not an agenda item - he is a relationship. At first, you may have to "pencil him in" - but, in time, he will become your first priority even before you step out to "check off" the things of your day.
I have a friend who reminded me this week of how much God loves her. You see, she loves to cuddle - as a single woman, she doesn't have the privilege of another human being to share that with at this time. So, God in his faithfulness, gave her a pet that enjoys "cuddling" each morning. She gets to enjoy a few minutes just "cuddling" with her furry friend, enjoying the display of pleasure that her pet experiences in the tender pats, the scratch behind the ear, or the stroking of its fur. God knows that we have a need to experience affection - even when we find it in a furry friend, it is a very good thing!
Think of how much more God wants to fill us up with the good things we can enjoy as a matter of being embraced by him! His arms are waiting - are you ready to be embraced today?
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