Something Different

Another link on over to my pastor's blog (www.danperkins.blogs.com) and because I am not currently in a small group, where discussion of the questions is an option I've decided to answer them below...

How does your pursuit of life cause you to become self aware and self absorbed?

It is funny when I think of the word "pursuit" I think of the American catch phrase of "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" and before anyone accusses me of attacking America, I love the country and it's people, but I do think that the notion of pursuit of happiness that has been instilled in the American people has become an excuse to follow a life of self absorbtion. It is as if it is the American Right to pursue what you want in life no matter the cost - to yourself, your family, your friends, your community...

On a personal level, my own pursuit of life can cause me to be self absorbed because I place stock in thinking about the vision and dreams and goals for my life without taking into consideration the greater vision and mission for my life. That ultimately in whatever I do - whether I eat or drink, or whatsoever I do that I do it all to glorify God...

What choices in life would you make differently if you were aware of your life being limited to the next year alone? In other words, You only got twelve months left!

Death isn't something I fear - check back another time and I'll blog about my morbid fascination with death, or maybe not! If I had only twelve months to live, I am not sure I would do too much differently. I love my job with "my" children. I love spending time with my family - I get to see my godson and his siblings every week and love on them. I speak daily to my parents. Stay connected with my brothers. I maintain my friendships - yes they've changed in recent months, but I don't think I would do anything differently. I love being able to serve at church - it has taken me a while to get back to that place, but God restored that joy. Ok you could say oh I want to "swim with dolphins" "travel more" "bungee jump" - but I wouldn't change how I live per se...

How could you plan for the end of your life that doesn't include, wills, estate planning and "stuff?"

Can I give the "Christian" answer?! Pretty please...I would store up treasures in heaven! Seriously, I don't know short of that answer. Maybe because I don't have anything possessionally (is that even a word?) that is of worth I view this question differently...

Write down five things you would want to accomplish before you die in this life. Write next to those goals what it would do to serve the cause of Christ...for instance if you want to climb Mt. Everest you don't have to evangelize the entire Buddhist population of Nepal but sharing Christ with your Sherpa would be nice.

1. Get married - be a godly wife, support and leader and lover in a marriage. > Why it would make the man a better person for Christ - just kidding. I think two are ultimately better than one and that by being a partnership and serving Christ together will ultimately serive the cause of Christ.
2. Add on to my family - by raising children to be godly men and women who love God. > I would be populating the world with more people to evangelize ;)
3. Choose a career - more pressing goal in some regards, especially if goal one is seemingly delayed!!! > Using my gift set to a fuller advantage, impacting more people ?
4. Live a life of extremes - go bungee jumping, go race car driving, travel to the holy lands. > Serve the cause of Christ: I could witness to my instructors, and tour guides...I could ...
5. Purchase property - but I don't even know about that anymore, it seems a wise and logical thing to have as a goal to accomplish before I die, but really what does it serve... however if I did I guess it could serve the cause of Christ by using it for ministry, but I really don't like people in my house, it is my place of refuge from the harbaringing world...

Honestly evaluate the life choices you make (career, family, possessions, etc.) and ask yourself are those surrendered to Christ as belonging to Him.

I'm trying...career wise is something that has been surrendered but is definately on the verge of being resubmitted, or more accurately asked of God as currently I am career-less but loving my job yet needing an increased income.

Family...in terms of achieving goal one, that has been a recent resurrender, but an area of my life that I feel and know that God is asking me do I trust Him.

Possessions - perhaps my books a little bit more ;) Overall in fact yes, a few weeks back I looked around my room and realized with shock how much stuff I own and how little of it I use, so I've gradually been depleting my stockpile of stuff, and have also been being watchful of what I do spend my money on.

Location - should I stay or should I go -- an area of life I found myself revisiting every six months or so, and having to surrender back to God...right now in the stage of releasing my grip.

Purpose for life, much more than career and tied into every area above of which I am attempting to surrender...my purpose, the steps for the next 4 months, 6 months, 12 months - what's next in life -- THAT is the hardest thing for me to surrender. I do surrender it, and then I slowly, often seemingly, unknowingly I take it back again...

Ask the person who you believe knows you best if they observe your life as surrendered to Jesus. In other words... do they see you serving Christ or Jesus serving you?