Choices < ? >

"Don't let your choices define who you are, let who you are define your choices"

I woke up thinking about this today.  I don't know if I have read this somewhere, or if it an original thought.  I googled it and haven't found who I could give credit to, so I guess I will claim it.

Here is what happens:  we make a bad decision and we then think we are a bad person.

A bad decision does not define you and I as bad people, even a string of bad decisions does not define who you are.  A bad decision, or even many bad decisions, happen because we DON'T know who we are.  When we don't know who we are then we fall into the trap of trying to be someone we are NOT.

For instance:  a drug addict was not created to be a drug addict, they didn't know who they where so their choices dictated their life and their choices became who they are: a drug addict.

You need to know who you are.  It's imperative you know who you are, who created you, and for what purpose He created you.

Genesis 1:26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness

Psalm 139:14 I will praise you; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made

Isaiah 43:7 Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him

Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to good works

 

Every single one of us where created in His image, we where fearfully and wonderfully made by Him, and we are his workmanship (craftsmanship) created to fulfill a purpose. 

 

No choice we make changes that definition of who I am.  Can I make bad decisions?  absolutely  Will I make bad decisions?  absolutely  Does that change who I am?  absolutely NOT.

 

Now this in no way gives us a "pass" on making bad decisions.  What happens is the more we discover who we are, the more we discover the purpose in which we where created, and the more we choose to fall in love with the One who created us the less likely we are to make unwise choices.

 

In the same way this should change our view of people.  For instance, going back to the drug addict, when we look at them we shouldn't see a drug addict.  Then what should we see?  We should see someone created in the image of God, who is fearfully and wonderfully made by Him, and is His workmanship created to fulfill a purpose, that has either forgotten their purpose or never knew it.

 

So whether you have made one bad choice or a string of them, your choices are not who you are.  You are a child of God that made a wrong choice, so do not let that choice define you.

 

 

Chris

Teachable

Be Teachable.  I say that a lot, I think it a lot, and I teach it a lot.

I was reading this morning and began to wonder to myself:  "Am I teachable?"

Webster's Dictionary defines "teachable" as:  capable of being taught.

^11 Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.  (Ps 86:11., NIV)

According to this verse if I am teachable then I will be doing the following:

1. Walking in your truth.  Walking means living my life.  So I have to ask myself:  Am I living my life according to God's truth.  Does the Spoken Word of God dictate and guide my thoughts, motives, feelings, actions, and words.  I would love with everything within me to answer yes, but if I did I would be lying to God, myself, and you.  So I am 0-1.
2. Having an undivided heart.  An undivided heart is one that loves God without limits, never doubts, and is completely devoted to the one that created them.  I love God, but do I love Him like He loves me.  He loves me unconditionally.  I can't say the same.  I would love to say that I never doubt.  I know God believes in me, and I believe in Him.  My problem is believing in myself, and since He believes in me and I don't believe in myself.... I doubt.  Alright, well then, how about completely devoted to the one that created me.  I wished.  I have moments in time where I feel I am completely devoted, but as for all the time.... nope.  Great I am 0-2
3. Fear His name.  To fear His name is to give God the honor, respect, and reverence He deserves.  Honestly I know I don't always give God the honor, respect, and reverence He deserves.  He deserves that all the time.  Now I am 0-3.

Epic fail

Good news:  I am not alone and neither are you.

When David wrote this psalm it was a prayer.  Being teachable is not a one-time thing.  Being teachable is a process.  When David penned this prayer, it is what he wanted.  David, a man who God said was a man after His own heart, was struggling with being teachable.  It's about a motive, it's about an attitude.

Being teachable means that you and I realize we don't know it all.  We need help.  Be open.  Be willing to learn.  Learn something everyday.  God has so much to teach us.

so:  be teachable, learn something today, about Him.

Chris

 

 

 

the week in review

 

So this week has been kind of (ok not kind of, but really) busy.  Hence why no blog until Friday 2:15 pm.  In being a busy week, it has also been a great week. Here are some highlights.

 

 

Tuesday:  Spent the better part of the day with Myjenta (my praise leader in youth).  With great excitement and anticipation she has decided to follow God's calling in her life to work with student's.  A call to minister is a call to prepare, so I took her to visit the campus of Fruitland Bible College.  Lord willing she will start in the fall.  Whoop Whoop!!

 

Wednesday:  Always a blast with AWANA kids.  The year is winding down, and the workers and helpers are wearing out.  God has done tremendous things in our AWANA group this year.  We have been blessed with 108 students that have come through our program this year... GO GOD!!

 

Thursday:  Met with one of my students that is a senior to try and get his senior project finished up.  Following that met with two young men who gave their hearts to Christ and had questions about baptism.  Topped off the day with an AMAZING night of worship at Thomas Wolfe Auditorium.  Students from across our county came together to worship and pray on the "National Day of Prayer."

 

Friday:  Finishing up stuff I didn't get done the rest of the week.  Today I hit a HUGE milestone in my running.  My goal was to finish 3 miles in 30 minutes.  This morning 3.01 miles in 29.45.  I have been excited about this all day!!!

 

 

In the midst of this head-spinning busy week, God has spoken and done some tremendous things:

 

In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, ^2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. (Heb 1:1-2., NIV)

 

Don't get too busy that you miss God speaking to you.  Take some time daily to step back from the "business" of life.  God does still speak, will you listen?  We all get busy.  It's a part of life.  We know it, and we can deal with it.