My Best Days Are Ahead Of Me

Since November of 2009, I have been volunteering at an autism social and self-advocacy group called Shoots Game Club. My best friend's mom heads up the program which meets once a month. This evening we actually did a service project for the Goshen Boys and Girls Club and what an awesome opportunity it was! But on the way home from Shoots Game Club tonight, one of the young adults really opened up about his life and the challenges he is facing right now. He expressed how much he blames himself for mistakes he's made in the past and he is overwhelmed by the speed at which his life seems to be flying by. He often wonders what kind of future he would have if he didn't have his mental challenges, and he wonders if he would be the man his dad would want him to be if his dad had made it home from Iraq in 2008. I encouraged him that we all make mistakes, and that he has many talents and gifts that he can use in his future. His future is what he makes it.
I think we all get caught up in the past every now and then. We begin to wonder what life would be like if this or that never happened, if we made this decision differently, if we hadn't allowed our sin nature to take over in this particular area, or how we could have handled a relationship better. And though this type of self-reflection is good on occasion, for such things produce wisdom and humility, it can also cause us to fall in the depths of despair and disappointment. The Apostle Paul could have very easily looked at his dreadful past, sighed in exasperation, threw up his hands, and said "I give up!" But in finding God's grace and love, he also discovered a new vitality to life, a new urge to get out there and do something. Not just mope about his mistakes and wrong choices. Instead of wallowing in self-pity, he got up, took the challenge set before him, and he truly lived for Christ!! He allowed himself to be used of God, and through that ministry he not only changed his life but he changed the lives of all who knew him - past, present, and future! Here are some notes I took in a recent sermon on Paul's outlook in a negative world :
1. Look at the lost - where will they be in the future? As of now, they are groping in darkness; how can we get them to see the light of God's Word?
2. Look at your own lack of fitness - no one measures up.
3. Look at God's awesome provision - we are sufficient through Him.
4. Look at the glory of what God has called us to do.
5. Look at what that should do in our lives - this is characterized by availability to God to be used by Him.
Gives you a sense of perspective, doesn't it? For me, it was both convicting and uplifting. There's another song that reminds me of this truth "My Best Days Are Ahead of Me". And may those days be gloriously used by my Savior!

Work Ethic and Workaholics

Work in today's society is just that - work. It is considered drudgery and is looked upon with disdain. have a sinking feeling that our generation and the ones that follow are getting a false understanding of what work ethic is and how it should be viewed. The youth of today feel that no joy can be found in work. I wholeheartedly disagree. Though I understand and recognize that I am in a unique position of working in an area I love and have studied from the tender age of seven, I feel that in whatever job you happen to find yourself, you are able to come away with at least some sense of satisfaction and pleasure. As my mom and I were talking about this subject just this afternoon, she brought up a good point. God instituted work immediately in the Garden of Eden. He instructed Adam to tend and care for the garden. And it was a request that was met with acceptance and pleasure, until sin entered, upon which time work became work. There are now trials in work, frustrations, difficulites, and obstacles to overcome. However, does that mean that our attitude should reflect those tough times and we that we are somehow 'entitled' to hate the very thought of work? I don't believe so. We are saved by grace through faith, and with our new life in Christ we are able to bear all things, for I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. I don't always feel it, but I know it and I must hold on to that knowledge.
Even though I disagree with the belief that a job is to be considered drudgery and something to be despised, I also feel that there is a limit to how much we should be involved in our jobs. This is the area of weakness in my life.
Work has a hold on me and I am unable to escape its grasp, to break free. The business is not where I want it to be. I want it to be better; no, I want it to be the best. Even though it is great as it is and has made remarkable improvements, I see its potential and I continually strive for it - I get up early, come home late, I work on my days off. I sometimes fall short of the daily expectations I have for myself, causing undue frustration, headaches, and overall feeling of failure. I find it very difficult to leave work at work. I come home worrying about this or that, thinking of all I must get done the next day, etc. Though my boss loves me for being so dedicated and commited, I sometimes feel overwhelmed and exhausted, both mentally and physically. What I need to learn is balance. I have worked so hard these past 7 1/2 years to become the best employee I could be and to make my boss and the business a success. But there must be a limit. I cannot let my relationships suffer because of my career, and I cannot continually allow my career to occupy my thoughts. I want my life to center around my Lord rather than my job. This is my prayer and my desire, that I may be known for my virtue more than my career.
"If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him" ~ James 1:5

My Pursuit of Perfection

"And I'll taste every moment and live it out loud/ I know this is the time, this is the time to be more than a name or a face in the crowd/this is the time, this is the time of my life". This song by David Cook is at the top of my list of 'life theme songs'. Especially during the past year or so, this song has been a very real inspiration to me. But this song only holds a small portion of where my true inspiration comes from. The inspiration and zeal to live every moment to its fullest, to take life's great opportunities and do something with them, to step out of my own safe comfort-zones and expand my sphere of influence, comes from the love and trust I have in my Lord Jesus Christ. He is the One that gives me my every breath, the One who died to make me whole, and because of that, He is the One I live for. Don't get me wrong - I fail all too often! Hence, my pursuit of perfection. I have not attained it yet, and I know and recognize that I never will until I meet my Lord and Savior. But in this journey called life, I am in constant pursuit of what Christ has called me to do, whatever and wherever it may be. It is my desire that Christ may be glorified in all my thoughts, behavior, and conversation. Again, I fail often, but I am challenged through those failures and must continually recognize that I can do nothing apart from Christ. He is my all in all.
You may wonder why I chose 'The Crown of Life' as the title to my blog. The verse in James which you see posted has always been one of my favorites. Actually, the entire book of James has always been a very personal book to me and one I have devoted to memory. But in James 1:12 it states that we will be the receivers of the crown of life if we endure the trials of life. This has always intrigued me. The crown of life - is it a physical crown which we will receive once we enter heaven or is it a metaphor for something we will receive while yet on this earth? I have yet to devote this subject to true study, but this particular passage provides me with a comfort and peace during those moments of life that are less than enjoyable.
So, at the urging of my friend, I have begun this blog about my pursuit of perfection and this time of my life. God has granted me many joys and blessings, and I am eager to see what He has in store for me in the days to come!

James 1:12

"Blessed is the man that endureth temptation [trials], for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life which the Lord hath promised to them that love Him."

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About Me

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I am a daughter of Christ, a sinner, and a work in progress, earnestly seeking perfection and daily pursuing a deeper relationship with my Lord. God isn't finished with me yet.