This life is not all there is.
Hooray, Amen, Hallelujah, Yippee!, or whatever other word you want to insert here. How about the phrase "THANK GOD."
While life on earth offers many choices, eternity offers only two: Heaven or Hell.
I was born and raised Catholic. From catechism classes, to Catholic Schools, being an altar boy and everything. Even when I stopped going to church, I never forgot about the afterlife. You could just say there was a time when I was resigned to my fate. I had a "why bother" attitude. Those were some pretty low years for me. It was like I knew I had a wealthy relative but figured they were too busy and I wasn't good enough for them to ever love me.
I'm more busy now than I think I've ever been. It's not that I am buzzing like a bee from when I wake to when I sleep, but there is stuff that needs to be done and I need to cut a lot of things out of my life that waste time. This blog isn't one of them though. I honestly believe this to be a God thing, drawing me closer to Him. "The closer you live to God, the smaller everything else appears."
Through these first four days, I've really started to see where time is lost, and where energy is wasted not focusing on God. Now it's not easy to change patterns of behavior overnight. I'm still thinking about all the things I used to do during the day. But, I'm also thinking more about God. I check this blog before I check my e-mail or my facebook. I want to write when I get home so that it can be here when you check it during the day. And I pray more than I have been doing, before my feet hit the floor and as my head touches the pillow.
And you know what, I'm still failing. This life is the practice before the big game, the warm up laps before the Daytona 500, the dress rehearsal for the afterlife. And I need more time to practice! I'm dropping balls, my car is not set up like I want it, and I can't find all the pieces to my costume. I'm not ready. But I'll get there if I stay faithful. I need to spend more time plugged into God than I do online.
"If you have a relationship with God through Jesus, you don't need to fear death."
I have a relationship with God through Jesus. It's not everything is could be, but that's my fault. I still spend a lot of time just thinking about the here and now, the next twenty minutes. What do I have to get done in the next hour before I leave work?, Do I have any time to just goof off? Can I get done everything that needs to get done?
And the one question that hit me today: Is this blog becoming just another time dump? I'm pretty sure I know where that question came from. And I will stand by my earlier statement that this blog is a God thing!
I know I didn't stick straight to the text like I have been. If you're following along without the book, I apologize. I write what I feel is important to get out about how the chapter is resonating in my mind. I'm sorry if it left anyone hanging.
Our Bible Verse today comes from First John.
And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever.
1 John 2:17 (NLT)
The question:
Since I was made to last forever, what is one thing I should stop doing and one thing I should start doing today?
Nothing. Not as in there is nothing I need to stop doing, I need to stop doing nothing right now, today. I need to stop all the things that are just aimless distractions. I need to start today focusing my energy on building relationships with my family that will lift them up and show that I can be the spiritual leader they need.
Remember: There is more to life than just here and now.
Funny how God intercepts right at the very most perfect moment you need him to... I first have to tell you that I'm not following along in this book with you, because I don't have it and didn't know it existed until now, but have followed your blog since we connected on FB the other day. That day just so happened (and I don't mean by accident, but very much on purpose by HIS hand) to be day 2 of your blog. I too was raised Catholic...the whole nine yards...and one year ago this August I didn't go to Sunday mass with my mom, but rather a service at Mission Community Church. I love it! I love what God has stirred up in me. I have struggled this past year with many things. I can't tell you how many mini epiphanies I've had as well as moments of conflict. I just wanted to take this moment to commend you for creating this place where you can reflect and connect. I wanted you to know that if this blog does nothing else (as I know that won't be the case) it has encouraged one fairly new believer to want to see the things I need to see, to hear the things I need to hear, to live my life the way He planned for me to, to take steps closer to God rather than farther away. And I look forward to reading Day 5+ of your journey as it encourages me to figure out mine.
ReplyDeleteColleen, I'm so glad you joined us. Yes, it is amusing how God plans things to happen the way they do. The book isn't hard to find, it should be in any book store near you. Having it isn't necessary, for reading my blog though.
ReplyDeleteI want to tell you, that I did nothing here. God is to blame!(PRAISE!)I look forward to hopefully hearing more from you, if you get the book and want to start on Day 1, I'll see when new comments show up. Or continue following along like you have been. I underline stuff when I read, and pull the book out when I blog to see what struck me as I was reading. The words that end up on the page aren't always what I intended when I was reading, but then again, it's not my blog.
I had planned to keep day 4 more to the book. I sure did underline a lot, but apparently, someone had other plans. I am so thankful to God that the words He gave me struck a chord with you.
Welcome CC, my blog is your blog, feel free to share it with your friends. Maybe there is someone you've been thinking you should talk to about God. Use this blog as an ice breaker. If you're thinking someone could use some God in their life, I guarantee the Devil didn't put that thought there.
That goes for everyone reading this, by all means, share it with your family and friends. I will not change how I respond just because there may be people I don't know reading this. Remember on the very first post I said, this Blog is about God. It's not about me. I'm just here to share how I feel. And those feelings are not dependent upon who is reading these words.
Ok Im catching up on the typing lets hope I can read what I wrote days ago..and Im going for just like its written - un edited.
ReplyDeleteCant envision or embrace the concept of hell - that would be earth like it is here - stuck and this world - repeating it untill u get it right. Greed, premium houses cares and ethics are hard to find.
Today I struggle with the whole blog. my personal feelings and philosophies, life being on here and the judgements that may come from it.
So maybe Im not ready 4 chapter 4 maybe I havent gotten the lessons from 1-3.
Then my GF and I (that is an off line follower that Im studying the book with).. she says maybe thats why Im here - here reading this with you and blogging God wants me and others to re think how we feel and what we say or think in judgement of others.AND I hadn't even made it to the QUESTION YET!! Now I have God doesnt want me to worry about what you think. I'm going to stop worrying about what you think . Gods in my life and I need to bring my son to learn more about God and the Bible. I wasnt taught to talk about God or religion or much else - let alone outloud. Like John said before Its a God thing it's not about me.
Well put. And I hope your friend decides to join us too. I can't be sure who is or isn't reading this blog. You don't need to be logged into anything to read it. So there is no telling who will read the things I've written. I've written them for myself and God, not them. However, I know some people will use your God stuff against you. Stand strong and know where you're going after this life.
ReplyDeleteThe people who matter won't care what you write and the people who care, don't matter.
<3 u for sticking with it.
First before I comment on Chapter 4 I'd like to say this:
ReplyDeleteJohn, please don't question whether this blog is a time dump. Absolutely not! This is a beautiful thing and certainly a God thing. Helping others get through and find their salvation is never a waste of time, please remember that. I'd also like to take this time to thank you for putting this together leading me to the spiritual journey I've needed to take for a long time. Again, thank you.
Chapter 4 was eye opening for me. So often we become lost in the here and now and we lose track of what is temporary and what is ever lasting. I feel like we will never be able to do enough but our effort is what counts. So many put forth little effort (if any) to find Gods purpse and live their lives as restless wanderers. I too suffer from this everyday and the question to consider is much easier to say than to do...
I should stop living for myself and start living for Gods purpose, everyday.
Thanks for the kind words Aaron. I'm so glad that you are enjoying the book and the blog. God has prepared wonderful things for those who put their faith in Him and trust in His Son Jesus Christ. The past few days I've felt like giving up on the blog. I want to keep reading, I made a commitment to God that I would.
ReplyDeleteBut the devil has been in my head attacking me where he knows I am weak. But God made me the way He did for this reason. He put in me the DNA He knew I would need for this kind of spiritual warfare. My mother is Cuban, my Father is Italian and I am stubborn, and spiteful like no one's business. My mother would tell me that I would cut off my nose to spite my face.
It's that quality that helps me resist the attacks on me. I can't fight them all off alone, the devil knows me too well, but I think by now he knows that I will do anything to prove someone wrong about me. Specially myself. I thought at the beginning that I couldn't do this. But I'll prove me (and him) wrong!!!
That's awesome John...you keep following the path God has laid out for you and let nothing get in the way!
ReplyDeleteI know exactly what you mean, my Mom is Italian and my Dad is Irish so I struggle with that as well. I just pray for understanding and it always helps.
I'm so glad you are sticking with this..I've been having internet issues at home but my mom and I have been reading, talking, and taking notes and its just wonderful. I'll try to stay up on posting but its a little difficult right now without my computer working but I'm not going to let anything keep me from finishing this!
So I read this chapter days ago, but with the weekend comes laziness and now I have to catch up with my writing.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great way to be able to look at things in a whole new light. This earth is temporary. We were put here for a purpose, but the ultimate goal is that of eternity. I should stop worrying about the small things since they pale in comparison to what is to come. I am going to start living every day with purpose.