My vision vs. His vision. I have been thinking about that a lot lately. On any given day I can think of soooo many ways I would've done my life differently had I been in control. So many ways that I feel I would be happier. Example: My husband would not deploy. I would not homeschool, because I would want more "me time". I would get monthly facials to feel renewed! Here's one that will really reveal how selfish I am; My husband would never enter the ministry. He is definitely called to it but I was so happy when he decided to become a psychologist because I thought, "Great! More money and less stress!" While he is still going to remain a psychologist for now he does believe the Lord is veering him toward pastoring/teaching in some way in the future. When, we don't know, but my point here is that I would not have chosen that. I like the idea of having my husband to myself, working a normal set of hours a week. These are just a few examples of things that aren't necessarily a sin, but ways that I would change my life if I were God. He does a different thing. And I trust Him, but it's not always easy. It means forgetting myself, my plan, my comfort, my happiness and instead looking for peace and joy in the Lord alone. And in this place I DO find true joy everlasting!! I can rest in Him and know He's got the whole picture. I showed this to Robert to see if he would respond the same as I. He looked at it for a bit and then said, "Looks just like something Paul would write." We both had a good laugh over that! Obviously he was being sarcastic.
There are so many things wrong with this picture. I hate it. To be honest. Hate, hate, hate it. This picture is the perfect example of what Jesus was not and exactly what God calls us NOT to be. And you know, I wouldn't even me posting it if it was just a worldly attitude. But it's not. This attitude has so seeped into the "christian" culture that we have whole churches centered around this concept. "What will make the people happy?" We choose a church based on if the church will serve us or make us happy. Is the music "hip" enough? Does the pastor dress cool enough? Do they serve the GOOD donuts in the morning? And just to be clear, these are all things Robert and I have talked about after visiting churches years ago when we had this attitude as well. Which brings me to the next issue this attitude ruins.... When we had this attitude toward church, we had the attitude toward our marriage too! Which meant we were HORRIBLY unhappy in our marriage at that time because we were BOTH saying, "You won't serve me!" "You don't make me happy!" Ahhh, lessons learned the hard way. I'm pretty sure that, as the picture says, that doing these things isn't quite a sign of respect of yourself but more of self-worship. I'm pretty sure that Jesus said "Whoever comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and even life itself, cannot be my disciple." (Luke 14:26) and "None of you can become my disciple if you do not give up all your possessions."(Luke 14:32) Giving everything up means your comfort, sometimes it means giving up your happiness and finding joy only in the Lord and serving Him and others! Jesus preached it straight! He told people to go away unless they were willing to give up EVERYTHING!! Dietrich Bonhoeffer, in his book The Cost of Discipleship, says, “When Jesus calls a man, he bids him come and die.” Now, compare that with this little saying above. Do they mesh? Nope. Obviously God doesn't call everyone to sell all their possessions and serve in a third world country. Some he gives more possessions and money to so they can give more generously. It is not my place to judge if someone is giving the amount God has called them to. But I can guarrentee if they are living their lives making sure they are happy and being served, then they likely aren't giving anything to the Lord, except maybe an hour and a half every Sunday morning at a hip church centered around making it's members happy.
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Darby actually cried when she saw that I had cut them off. Bryse thought it was cool and Cal remembered that my hair was about this length when he was born. Robert doesn't care for my hair too short, so this way by the time he gets back it will be grown out more.
Sorry for not keeping up with people like I should. We are in Arkansas with my parents. Will probably be here another week or so. We went swimming at the creek for Memorial day. Robert is still in transit to the FOB in Afghanistan he is assigned to. We talk to him when we can. Enjoy the pictures!
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LindseyI'm the mama and wife. Updating you on our life! Archives
January 2022
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